Governor of Gami HE Ahmad Al-Ohali welcomes visitors and exhibitors at World Defense Show 2022.

Governor of GAMI (Saudi General Authority of Military Industries), HE Ahmad Al-Ohali introduces the opening of World Defense Show 2022, International Defense Exhibition that takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from the 6 to 9 March 2022.

HE Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI welcomes visitors and exhibitors at World Defense Show 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Picture source video footage WDS 2022)

- Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to welcome you all to Saudi Arabia’s inaugural World Defense Show – a historic moment for the Kingdom’s defense sector.

- First and foremost, I take this opportunity to thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin AbdulazizAlSaud, for his patronage of World Defense Show, and his Crown Prince Chairman of GAMI’s Board, HRH Mohammed bin Salman AlSaud, for their unmitigated support of the Kingdom’s defense sector. Indeed, we are blessed with future-focused leadership that appreciates the importance of bringing strategic events, of this magnitude and thoughtfulness, to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

- Over the next four days you will see the latest in terms of interoperability of defense solutions meet public- and private-sector stakeholders, share knowledge with industry thought leaders and innovators, and gain an insight into the opportunities of Saudi Arabia’s defense industry.

Prosperity through security

- We believe that the prosperity of a nation is founded on its security. Our defense industries not only provide the means by which security and prosperity are safeguarded, but also generate jobs and enable economic growth.

- The economic importance of the defense industry is reflected in this event’s program. The Start-Up Hub shows how we can create opportunities across the sector for young companies and entrepreneurs. Talent is at the core of what we do, and the Future Talent Program will highlight career opportunities in the industry and connect young Saudis with domestic and global companies. In addition, our Women in Defense event, which takes place on International Women’s Day, focuses on unlocking the potential of our human capital by expanding our workforce and attracting new talent.

- Many of you are here to network and forge business partnerships. Our networking events will create productive relationships between global buyers, vendors, and government delegations. Finally, thought-leadership sessions will act as forums for the exchange of ideas in key areas, such as defense geopolitics, economics, strategy, innovation, and skills.

Gateway to Saudi Arabia’s defense industry

- The World Defense Show also gives us the opportunity to share some exciting developments in Saudi Arabia’s defense industry.

- The sector is growing tremendously on the back of the Kingdom’s business reforms and a strategic ambition to localize over 50% of our defense spending by 2030.

- Almost600 Saudi and global entities &companies are participating this year, representing the land, air, sea, satellite and security domains. This momentum is creating incredible opportunities for strategic partnerships.

- It is this new face of the Kingdom’s defense sector, one that is transparent, committed, efficient, accessible and fair, that I would like to share with you over the coming days.

- Welcome to the world Defense Show. I hope you will enjoy your time with us.