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Dubai /Â WAM
The 13th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017) and the fourth edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2017) are set to draw the participation of 1,235 specialised local and international companies in the defence industry. This represents a three per cent growth compared to 2015, when 1,200 companies attended.
Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the parallel biennial events will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from February 19-23.
Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017, made the announcement at a press conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Also headlining the conference were Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, Deputy-Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), and Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017.
Addressing the press conference, Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei said: “I extend my sincere gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage of the event that has contributed to its continued success on the regional and international levels. I also thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his sustained support, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his valuable guidance.”
He added: “Since its inception, IDEX has consolidated its status as one of the leading international defence events. It has successfully showcased the pioneering efforts of our wise leadership to strengthen the country’s defence sector and enhance its capabilities. Over the next week, Abu Dhabi will be the centre of international attention as IDEX and NAVDEX convene thousands of dignitaries and prominent decision makers from all over the world to participate in the event and its associated activities.”
Furthermore, Al Mazrouei said: “Given the scale and importance of the exhibitions, their preparation has required close collaboration among various committees overseeing their planning and execution. This brought together several national organisations from both public and private sectors in a series of regular meetings headed by the UAE Armed Forces and ADNEC. The meetings developed effective action plans and implementation strategies to ensure the success of the events.”
“I am confident that this year, IDEX and NAVDEX will be even better than the previous editions, given the overwhelming response they have generated in terms of the number of participants, delegates and defence experts as well as the representation of major international companies;” he added.
He revealed that the first day of the events will host spectacular live demonstrations by military personnel showcasing the capabilities of the UAE’s cutting-edge defence equipment. He thanked the ADNEC management for their tremendous efforts in the preparation of the opening of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017. He also expressed his appreciation for the hard work of all subcommittees under the Higher Organising Committee as well as the national organisations that have worked relentlessly to ensure the success of the event.
For his part, Humaid Al Dhaheri said: “ADNEC has worked closely with the Higher Organising Committee to finalise the preparations for the mega event in a manner befitting the status and reputation of the UAE. This year’s editions of IDEX and NAVDEX are set to be the largest and most remarkable since their inception.”