Under the patronage of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the 6th Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2018) was opened by His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Monday.
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of defence ministers, chiefs of staff and military leaders from various countries along with a number of ambassadors accredited to Qatar, members of the Qatari Armed Forces and more than 1,000 delegates. The exhibition is held under the theme 'World-Class Platform for Technology, Maritime & Defence Industry Capabilities.'HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, and Commander of the Qatari Emiri Force HE Major General Abdullah bin Hassan al-Sulaiti were present at the opening ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Major General al-Sulaiti said: “The exhibition is the direct result of our leadership’s wise vision that reflects Qatar's continuous role in enhancing the region’s security and stability, and unifying naval efforts for the major impact it has on the regional and global security.”
He said “the turmoil being experienced in parts of this geographically strategic region calls the need for combining efforts, enhancing co-ordination, and exchanging information and experiences to achieve the objectives we all aspire to.”
While thanking His Highness the Emir, Major General al-Sulaiti said his wise guidance and direction has enhanced the standards of the expo and the latest has exceeded all the previous editions.
Later the Deputy Emir met separately with Turkey's Minister of National Defence Nurettin Canikli, Greece's Minister of Defence Panos Kammenos, Mongolia's Minister of State for Defence Affairs Nyamaagiin Enkhbold and India's Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Girish Luthra.
Speaking at the inauguration, Barzan Holdings managing director Nasser Hassan al-Naimi said their company comprises three key pillars including investing in defence and security companies, research and development, and participating in strategic military forces procurement.
Barzan Holdings is one of the main sponsors of the three-day event.
Al-Naimi explained that Barzan Holdings has been established by the Ministry of Defence as a strategic military investment company aimed at supporting Qatar in becoming a hub for the development of next-generation defence products by enhancing national sovereignty, human capital and transfer of knowledge.
At the meeting HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented His Highness the Deputy Emir with a ceremonial shield. They toured the sprawling venue of the exhibition.
The Deputy Emir was briefed on the maritime and military defence equipment of the participating companies, navigational technology systems, communication systems, radars, missiles and maritime mines, defence systems, electronic warfare and other maritime industries and services.
At the exhibition, a number of sessions will be held as part of the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference. About a dozen warships from the UK, the US, India, Italy, Pakistan, Oman, and Bangladesh have also arrived at the Hamad Port as part of the event.
Dimdex also supports in the strengthening of Doha’s position as a business hub by attracting visitors, exhibitors, decision-makers, and dignitaries from across the world. The exhibition is offering global companies useful trading and business opportunities in vital and active markets.
