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IDEX Preparations in Final Phase

ABU DHABI - Preparations are well on-track to deliver the biggest, and the best-ever edition of International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), scheduled to be begin at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on February 22, according to Mohamed Al Mashgouni, IDEX 2009 Show Director.

In an exclusive interview with the Khaleej Times here the IDEX Director said all the 55,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space at the ADNEC have been contracted out for this mega defence show and conference.

The dredging of the Al Bateen Channel is complete at the ADNEC Quay located directly opposite the exhibition centre grandstand. Visitors will be able to reach these exhibits through a recently erected pedestrian bridge joining the Exhibition Centre with ADNEC Quay.

A mobility track has been constructed in front of the ADNEC grandstand. A number of warships and naval craft will berth at ADNEC quay for the exhibition. Military delegations from around the world will also attend.

Emphasising that IDEX involved high-level planning and endorsement from the highest levels, he recalled that the show is held under the patronage of The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. IDEX is a very prestigious event and this year’s show will be the Gulf’s largest exhibition in 2009. Besides having some of the world’s top companies exhibiting, thousands of high-ranking international visitors, including heads of state are expected to visit.

“A show such as this requires a tremendous amount of planning and coordination. Literally, hundreds of individuals from a cross-section of government, public and private sector organisations are involved in the preparations. All our efforts are coordinated by the IDEX 2009 Military Committee which is so ably chaired by Staff Major General Obaid Al Ketbi.’’

What are some of the key highlights of this year’s IDEX? To this he said this year’s IDEX is significantly larger and much more integrated than previous editions. The dredging of the Al Bateen channel and construction of the quay has improved facilities for the amphibious display.

A range of naval craft will berth opposite the exhibition centre and the naval element will be one of the highlights of this year’s IDEX. A temporary mobility track has been constructed in front of the ADNEC grandstand for military vehicles to demonstrate their capabilities across a number of obstacles and challenging terrain.

The first day of the show is reserved for delegations and VIP visitors and the programme for national delegations has been considerably enhanced. The Gulf Defence Conference (GDC) focusing on emerging security threats and challenges will be held on the second day of IDEX. The GDC is regarded within the international academic and military community as a leading forum on defence strategy and technology. The conference is organised by Jane’s on behalf of ADNEC

On the deals that are expected to be signed at the exhibition he said IDEX is seen worldwide as one of the most important marketing opportunities for the world’s defence industry. The trend has been for the UAE Armed Forces to announce a number of deals at IDEX. Military officials from other countries and defence contractors are keen to capitalise on the IDEX platform to announce defence contracts and I expect this we will see some major announcements.

Contracts worth more than $545 million (Dh2 billion) were announced at the last IDEX in 2007, and 70 per cent of these, ($380 million, Dh1.4 billion) were signed by the UAE Armed Forces.

Asked whether the international financial crisis will impact the show. he said, “This is the ninth edition of IDEX; the event has run through times of international prosperity and times of international economic turbulence, but each edition of the show has seen it grow stronger. This is a powerful endorsement of the event. This year’s show will be the largest IDEX ever and the biggest exhibition ever held in Abu Dhabi, all projections in terms of exhibit space have been met and we continue to receive many requests even with the show less than two weeks away. “

What is expected out of the IDEX this time? “IDEX draws the attention of the world and is undoubtedly one of the UAE’s most prestigious events. Successive editions have served to cement the UAE’s and Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for world class, industry-leading events. I expect IDEX 2009 will be no different,’’ Al Mashgouni explained

On the products that will be on display at IDEX he said The exhibitor portfolio at IDEX includes land, sea and air vehicles and systems, radar, electronic warfare and electro-optic systems, weapons and ordnance, C4ISR, CBRN defence, homeland and internal security, simulation and training, logistics, medical and survival systems and personal equipment.

How many delegations have been invited, do they include Heads-of-State and Ministers? “High profile defence and security personnel, including Heads-of-State and Ministers have been invited to IDEX 2009. The UAE Armed Forces GHQ has invited more than 100 military delegations from the Middle East region and around the world to take part.

ramavarman@khaleejtimes.ae