HH the Heir Apparent and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Qatar Armed Forces Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani tours the Dimdex exhibition pavilion after the inauguration yesterday
HH the Heir Apparent and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Qatar Armed Forces Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday inaugurated the third Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2012)  at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
HH Sheikh Tamim was greeted by HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah and Staff Brigadier (Sea) Mohamed bin Nasser al-Mohannadi, who is Dimdex 2012 chairman.
Hundreds of the world’s leading naval figures and delegates from the 51 participating countries attended and witnessed the opening event.
Following the official welcome, Sheikh Tamim toured the exhibition space, currently featuring over 150 companies from 25 different countries represented in this year’s edition.
“HH Sheikh Tamim’s continued support and patronage of Dimdex has helped to make it the region’s leading maritime defence exhibition and conference, and it is thanks to the vision of Qatar’s leadership that Dimdex has won its international reputation,” Staff Brigadier al-Mohannadi stated.
He added: “It gives me great honour to greet His Highness to this event and demonstrate Qatar’s unrivalled ability in hosting world-class events”.
He also thanked Major General al-Attiyah for his continued dedication, leadership and support.
During the tour, Sheikh Tamim met a number of  important delegates from participating countries, senior military figures, ministers of defence, chiefs of staff and representatives of the countries taking part in Dimdex 2012.

A section of the guests at the opening programme

The event, which is the only comprehensive maritime defence exhibition and conference in the region, is set to advance knowledge in maritime issues and offer an opportunity for exhibitors to highlight the latest advances in naval technology.
Dimdex 2012 and the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) brings together the region’s top naval commanders and thinkers and academics who discuss the current state of maritime security. Also, the presence of modern warships at Doha  Port serves to reinforce the importance of the exhibition and conference as one of the world’s foremost military events held in the Mena region.