Delegations, companies and defence institutions from across the world have confirmed participation in the 6th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2018) to be held at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) between March 12 and 14.

The expo and conference are held under the patronage of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Commander of the Qatar Emiri Naval Force Major General Abdullah bin Hassan al-Sulaiti told a diplomatic briefing on Monday that the organisers were expecting the participation of several high maritime and defence delegations, including defence ministers, chief of staffs, senior serving officials and defence experts.
The senior Qatari Naval official also informed that a number of naval war ships were expected to call on the new Hamad Port as part of the event. "We are also looking forward to meeting VIP delegations and holding discussions on several vital issues concerning maritime security and defence during the three-day conference," said Major General al-Sulaiti.
Dimdex chairman Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S al-Ansari recalled there has been a substantial rise in the number of participants at the expo since its start more than 10 years ago. "While there were only 80 companies when the event began in 2008, the past edition in 2016 had the participation of 180 exhibitors," he remembered while adding that more than 380 official VIP delegations were present in the last five editions together.
The official also reminded that over the years Dimdex has become an established and highly anticipated global event, consisting of the Middle East and North African region's leading maritime defence expo and conference.
While expressing satisfaction at the growth of the expo over the last one decade, al-Ansari hoped the event would provide participants with a wealth of opportunities to grow and forge new partnerships with leading businesses and key procurement decision makers.
Qatar Armed Forces International Co-operation Department head and the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) director Staff Brigadier (Sea) Tariq Khalid al-Obaidly said this year's conference was designed to promote international military collaboration and exchange to accomplish global peace and security, alongside the protection of shores, borders and assets.
MENC producer Tom Sawyer and Captain (Sea) Hamad Rashed al-Marri also spoke.

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