1,200 exhibitors to participate in Idex 2015

Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2015) and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Adnec Acting Group CEO, Saleh Al Marzouqi, CEO Idex and representatives from the UAE Armed Forces GHQ on Sunday highlighted the latest technologies and products that will be on display at the 12th edition of international show at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (Adnec).

 Idex is the most strategically important tri-service defence exhibition in the world and is the only international defence exhibition and conference in the Mena region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence.

In a pre-vent press conference at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Al Ketbi said: "Over two decades since its inception, Idex has expanded enormously and introduced both Navdex (the largest regional maritime defence exhibition) and now Umex (the Unmanned Systems Exhibition). Preparation for these events required a collective work in harmony and cooperation at the highest levels among a large number of federal, local and private institutions in addition to the several committees, the Ministry of Defence as strategic sponsor, the GHQ Armed Forces, who have provided continued support to the exhibition since its inception."

Al Ketbi said: "Today we are also proud to see that several local and international companies have continued entrusting us with several of them returning as strategic partners and sponsors. This year, we have also launched a new successful conference formula for Idex Conferences. Running alongside the exhibition is Idex Defence Conferences, the official conferences of Idex which is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses and armed forces throughout the region. Idex Defence Conferences unites Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Staff, senior commanders from the UAE Armed Forces, government officials, senior decision makers and other commanding officers from international militaries as well."

Idex, launched in 1993 with an area spanning to about 12,000 square meters saw the participation of 350 companies that has now tripled to about 1,200 this year. The companies in this edition will showcase their latest products and offerings in the field of defence and security over an area of 133,000 square meters that will include both indoor and outdoor displays.

In terms of the international exhibitors the number of participating countries have increased, from 24 in 1993 to 55 countries in 2015. The country pavilions have increased from 20 in 1993 to 42 in this edition.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Adnec said, "Idex 2013 witnessed an overwhelming response from 80,000 visitors. With the increase in space this year, we can only expect this number to rise. Idex has incrementally contributed to the increase in direct and indirect economic contribution to the Abu Dhabi economy. The contribution in 2013 has been around Dh336 million.”

There has also been a continual increase in the participation of UAE exhibitors with them occupying about 2,000 square meters of space in 1995 to now showcasing their capabilities in a space spanning to about 18,500 square meters this year.

This year Navdex will bring together 96 exhibitors from across the globe and will be spread over an area of approximately 5,600 m2 with almost 16 boats on display on the pontoon at Adnec Marina and along the Zayed Port.

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