IDEX 2019: UAE national industry to support Abu Dhabi Defense Exhibition.

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) today signed strategic agreements with a number of specialised national defense companies to support the upcoming editions of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 will run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 17 to 21 February, 2019.

IDEX 2019 International Defense Exhibition will be held in Abu Dhabi UAE from 17 to 21 February 2019. (Picture source IDEX)

The agreements were signed in the presence of His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX; His Excellency Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Al Balushi, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee; Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC; His Excellency Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chairman of Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) and Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council; Omar Al Faresi, Chief Financial Officer of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC); Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, Chief Executive Officer of the SEHA Ambulatory Healthcare Services; and Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019.

The agreement also endorses EDIC as the strategic partner for IDEX and NAVDEX 2019, Tawazun Holding as the principle partner for IDEX 2019 and SEHA Ambulatory Healthcare Services as the official healthcare services provider for IDEX and NAVDEX 2019.

His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX, said: "We are proud of the support that IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 have received from leading national defence companies from both the public and private sectors, demonstrating the importance of both events in advancing the country’s defence industries".

Al Mazrouei added: "The remarkable progress achieved by our national defense companies would not have been possible without the unwavering support extended by our wise leadership led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes.

His Excellency Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Al Balushi, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said: “As IDEX will mark its 25 anniversary, this upcoming edition will draw a record participation from specialised local and international defense companies. This will further reinforce the event’s prominent status on regional and international defence map.”

Al Balushi added: "The Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX is working around the clock in preparation for the largest edition in the event’s history. The committee comprises under its umbrella several national institutions from both public and private sectors that have come together to ensure the success of both events in a manner befitting the stature and reputation of the UAE ".

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, CEO of ADNEC Group, said: "We are delighted with the tremendous support IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 have received from our partners as the upcoming edition is set to become the largest since IDEX was launched in1993. At ADNEC, we are implementing an ambitious strategy to support specialised exhibitions and conferences that serve key economic sectors identified by Abu Dhabi Economic Vision and Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, including the defense industry. "

The agreements were signed in the presence of His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX; His Excellency Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Al Balushi, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee; Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC; His Excellency Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chairman of Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) and Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council; Omar Al Faresi, Chief Financial Officer of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC); Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, Chief Executive Officer of the SEHA Ambulatory Healthcare Services; and Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019.

Al Dhaheri added: “ADNEC teams have been utilising their full potentials to ensure the success of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019. We thank our partners from both public and private sectors for their continued support for IDEX and NAVDEX, which will enhance the events’ competitiveness and ability to attract top exhibitors and decision makers from major defense companies worldwide.”

Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chairman of Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) and Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council, said: "The rapid growth achieved by our national defense industry is a manifestation of the huge potentials held by the UAE in various sectors. Our partnership with IDEX 2019 presents a perfect model of strategic collaboration between two important sectors, the exhibition and defense, to showcase the UAE’s unique competencies and capabilities in this vital sector.”

Omar Al Faresi, Chief Financil Officer of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), said: "Our strategic partnership with IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 is built on the solid foundation of close relationship and collaboration between defense and exhibition sectors. IDEX and NAVDEX serve as a leading platform for showcasing the latest developments and innovation in defense sector thanks to the continued support extended by the country’s wise leadership to this vital industry to embrace the latest technologies.”

Mattar Al Shamsi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, said: "The maritime defense industry has witnessed a paradigm shift in the UAE through possessing advanced technologies and building superior indigenous capabilities. At Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, we consider NAVDEX 2019 a unique opportunity to highlight the considerable growth achieved by the maritime industry in the UAE.”

Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, Chief Executive Officer of the SEHA Ambulatory Healthcare Services, said: “Our partnership with IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 highlights the importance of synergy between national organisations to advance the country’s vitally important economic sectors including healthcare. At SEHA, we are proud to be the official healthcare provider of this definitive global defense event and to deliver the highest quality of healthcare services. "

The previous edition of IDEX and NAVDEX drew the participation of over 1,235 local and international exhibitors as well as more than 105,000 visitors from across the region and world. The event also facilitated defense deals value at AED19.1 billion.

IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 convened top dignitaries, decision-makers, defense ministers, military commanders, representatives of diplomatic missions, and military and civilian delegations from brotherly and friendly countries.