‘IDEX provides UAE international prominence’

ABU DHABI - His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday said the rich knowledge and credible experience in organising events such IDEX has earned UAE an international prominence as the most favourite destination among investors.

Shaikh Mohammed made the statement after inaugurating the 10^th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2011) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

“IDEX provides experts and other interesting circles in defence technology and systems with a platform to view the latest products the creative and innovative human mind has crafted,” Shaikh Mohammed said.

Shaikh Mohammed gave special credit to the organisers for the excellent organisation of the event and the smooth and easy access to all pavilions.He noted that the UAE youths had gained rich knowledge and credible experience in organisation, management and operation of events in every sector, “thus earning the UAE a regional and international prominence as the most favourite destination among investors, industrial and commercial companies, and businessmen.”

During his tour, Shaikh Mohammed showed particular interest in the UAE pavilions where he was updated on the achievements the national companies have made and their expansion plans.

Apart from his stops at a number of national stands, the Vice-President visited pavilions of UK, Ukraine, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, South Korea, US and China. He also watched a demonstration of a pilot project featuring a 2011-REEM robot (Reem), launched by ADNEC. It has begun trials of the robot which can assist visitors at the centre, providing them with information and guiding them to stands and key locations within the venue. ADNEC is believed to be the first exhibition and live events venue to trial such an initiative.

During his tour, Shaikh Mohammed was accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler‘s Representative in the Eastern Region, and a group of top officials.

Earlier, the opening ceremony began with the playing of the UAE National Anthem accompanied by the fly-past of the UAE and IDEX flags by two Chinook helicopters, escorted by two Apache and two Blackhawk helicopters. Air force displays included five Mirage delta-winged fighter aircrafts and five F-16s, filling the skies in an exciting display.

The tone of the displays shifted to watch a few minutes of video footage featuring the UAE’s land, navy and air force capabilities before revving up again to observe the Presidential guard undertake a live on-water hostage rescue scenario involving Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Sikorsky’s UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter, two of Eurocopter’s AS 550 Fennec helicopters, and two RHIB fast craft. The Presidential guard also presented a CT storming of a single storey building — supported by one Blackhawk and an array of fast assault vehicles.

Following the rescue scenarios, an impressive parade of armoured vehicles, tanks and artillery equipment made its way through the mobility track, demonstrating off-road capability and driver precision through the slopes and waters of the track.

A spectacular air and land demonstration followed as 10 professional winged skydiving experts geared up in UAE-flag themed wing-suits flew from 8,000 feet overhead while stunt bikers performed acrobatic stunts on the mobility track below.

“This opening ceremony has been a truly spectacular display of a wide array of land, air and sea vehicles. The preparation has entailed weeks of diligently rehearsed choreography and logistics and brought together the very best that the Armed Forces has to offer in technical operations and display, with nations both at home and abroad working together to make this happen,” Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Head of Committees and Spokesman of IDEX 2011, said. The number of exhibitors from 53 countries this year is 1,060, occupying 108,000 square metres of space and 32 country pavilions. The 2011 event marks the 10^th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference. Organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, IDEX 2011 draws 1,060 exhibitors.

According to IDEX figures, the UAE defence progress includes a $15 billion commitment in 1990s towards an investment strategy to modernise the country’s defence industry. The overall Middle East defence investment is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2015.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com