By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter
In the midst of talks and deals on hi-tech communication equipment and arms and ammunition at a high profile security-related event as the Milipol Qatar exhibition, how important are metal souvenirs, medals, citations, plaques, commemorative stamps and similar decorative pieces for security agencies, police and armed forces, royals and other top level dignitaries is evident from their vast collections at the Arthus-Bertrand’s stall at the ongoing exposition.
The more than 200-year-old Paris-based manufacturer’s modest-sized display space at the French pavilion has attracted enormous attention from the visitors, mainly officials of the security agencies, police and armed forces from across the region.
“No military uniform anywhere in the world, regardless of the position of the person sporting it is complete without at least one of such decorative pieces affixed on it,” said Arthus-Bertrand’s chief of medal projects Jean-Charles-Rocer.
“Even 211 years after our formation, we continue to employ our craftsmen and almost 99% of our creations are handmade,” said Rocer.
The armed forces and other security agencies in the Middle East region, especially those in the GCC states are among the company’s customers, which according to the manufacturer, are spread over 85 countries across the world.
The company’s souvenirs and citations could also be found in the uniforms of the security personnel of Qatar. They (Qatar and France) have enormous levels of contacts at the defence level, Milipol exposition among the main examples of the deep co-operation between the two.
Apart from the armed forces, sport federations and game organisers from across the world too are Arthus-Bertrand’s clientele. Shelves at the exhibition are a testimony to their customer base. “Our medals, citations, and souvenirs were supplied to a number of major events held in Europe and outside and also in Middle East in recent years,” said Josephine Corde who is managing the stall at the exhibition.
The company also supplies individual trophies to the finalists of the last edition of the African Cup Football. The souvenirs and other decorations at the French Open Tennis, Tour de France, Cannes Festival and many events of that level also came from Arthus-Bertrand.