A group of UAE defence sector companies participated in the IDET International Defence and Security Technologies Fair, held last week in the Czech Republic, on the sidelines of the visit of a high-level delegation to the country.
The participation of the UAE delegation at IDET comes within the framework of the country’s efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences and best practices in the field of defence, focusing on the advanced technology and modern innovations employed by UAE and Czech Republic companies, as the two sides look to strengthen cooperation in this sector for the benefit of both countries.
The delegation toured the various pavilions and halls of the exhibition, which includes a number of international institutions and companies. The delegation was briefed on the latest military technologies, security systems and defence industries hosted by the exhibition, UAE national news agency WAM reported.
IDET is one of the most important defence and security technology trade fairs in Central Europe. It takes place every two years at the Brno Exhibition Centre in the Czech Republic. The fair offers a wide range of presentations and exhibitions for industry experts, including modern defence and security technologies, weapon systems, and military equipment.
Participants at IDET are a mix of international manufacturers, government officials, military representatives, and security experts. Numerous forums and conferences are also organized, discussing current issues of national security and defence. Furthermore, IDET serves as a platform for government delegations and professional visitors to learn about the latest trends and innovations in the industry, and to maintain or establish business relationships.
Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from the UAE visited the Czech Republic, headed by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, with the aim of expanding bilateral cooperation in various areas of common interest.
The delegation included Saeed Mubarak Al Hajri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; Abdullah Al Mazrouei, President of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and a large number of senior representatives from ministries and companies from the public and private sectors.
During the visit, Al Sayegh held bilateral meetings with Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic; Jozef Sikela, Minister of Industry and Trade; Zbynek Stanjura, Minister of Finance; Jiri Kozak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jana Vohralikova, Head of the Office of the President; and Tomas Pojar, National Security Adviser, during which the two sides affirmed both countries’ desire to enhance cooperation in all fields, especially trade and investment.
The visit also witnessed the signing of the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, which was signed by Al Sayegh on behalf of the UAE and Stanjura from the Czech side.
Al Sayegh said: “The signing of this agreement and the keenness to establish a Joint Economic Committee, as well as the exchange of high-level visits, reflect the mutual desire of the UAE and the Czech Republic to deepen bilateral relations which extend for more than three decades, in all fields, particularly in economy and trade.”
The two sides also discussed bolstering cooperation in the field of climate action in light of the UAE’s hosting of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), during which participants will conduct a global stocktake of progress made towards achieving the global climate objectives set out in the Paris Agreement.
Al Sayegh highlighted that the bilateral economic relationship has notably developed in recent years, especially after the signing of an economic, trade, and technical coordination agreement in January 2022, which heralded a new era of stronger economic ties.
The agreement also led to the development of effective programs and mechanisms to explore prospects for cooperation and partnerships in the fields of trade, investment, and knowledge exchange that will contribute to sustainable economic growth in both countries.
For his part, Saeed Al Hajri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, affirmed that the visit opens up new horizons to elevate cooperation between the two countries and will contribute to strengthening the UAE’s position as a vital gateway for Czech exporters and investors to leverage opportunities in local markets and expand them to other countries, regionally and globally.
