Abu Dhabi set for record breaking IDEX edition

ABU DHABI - More than 1,000 exhibitors in addition to international delegates, including heads of states and ministers, from over 53 countries will take part in the forthcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2011).

by

Nissar Hoath

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Published: Tue 15 Feb 2011, 11:30 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:59 AM

The five-day exhibition will begin on February 20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

While briefing the media on the show that first began in 1993, Major General Obaid Al Kitbi, Head of Committees and Spokesman for IDEX 2011, said the event will kick off with over 32 national pavilions and 150 official delegations to mark its 10th anniversary.

“For the first time since IDEX’s inception in 1993, exhibitor numbers have gone past the 1000-mark, recording 18.2 per cent growth over IDEX in 2009, to reach 1060 exhibitors,” he said.

“Total event space has grown 14.8 per cent to 124,000 square metres from 108,000 square metres in 2009, with IDEX exhibitors this year, representing 53 countries (50 in 2009), including 32 national pavilions (same as 2009).Net event space has increased 14.58 per cent to 43,219 square metres (37,719 square metres in 2009),” Al Kitbi explained.

He said despite being a long-established show, at every IDEX there was strive for something new — new companies, new countries, new facilities and innovations and “this time, is no different.”

Of the 1060 exhibitors this year, 49 exhibiting companies will be located within the dedicated First Time Exhibitor Zone (FTEZ) introduced at this edition.

Also,a new feature at this edition is NAVDEX — a dedicated naval defence exhibition that’s being held in parallel, at the ADNEC Marina and connected via a pedestrian bridge to the main exhibition venue.

Organised by Clarion Events on behalf of ADNEC in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, NAVDEX occupies 16,000sqm, with 81 exhibiting companies, as well as four visiting navyships fromthe UAE, the UK, Italy and France.

Stating that ADNEC was greatly honoured to play a key role in the organisation of IDEX along with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri,ADNEC’sManaging Director said: “A show of this stature gives us the opportunity to showcase our organisational capabilities as well as the excellent facilities we have been able to establish at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the Abu Dhabi leadership’s mandate.”

According to the organisers, the largest international country pavilion is Germany (3,595sqm) followed by USA (3,411sqm), Turkey (2,179sqm) and Italy (1,782 sqm).

Saif Al Hajeri, CEO Tawazun Holding and OPB (Offset Programme Bureau) said:“Under the country’s wise leadership and the guidance of the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, IDEX has,over the past 18 years,become one of the world’s leading gatherings for the defence industry.Tawazun is delighted to be the headline sponsor of IDEX in its 10thedition during 2011.”

nissar@khaleejtimes.com


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