The organizing committee of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX)has announced Fincantieri as ‘Diamond Sponsor’ for its sixth edition, taking place between 12 and 14 March 2018 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). DIMDEX will once again be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and hosted and organized by Qatar Armed Forces.
A signing ceremony for announcing the ‘Diamond Sponsor’ took place at the Ministry of Defence in the presence of H.E. Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanim bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim, Chief of General Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces. By mutual consent, the agreement was signed by Mr. Achille Fulfaro, Fincantieri Vice President Middle East Market Development, and DIMDEX Chairman, Staff Brigadier (SEA) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al-Ansari. Aldo Zizzo, the Head of Qatar Business Development at Fincantieri also attended the ceremony.
H.E. Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanim bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim commented: “Qatar and Italy share a strong bond across political and economic relations, and an important alliance in the defense and security fields. The bilateral agreements serve to benefit mutual national interests to positively contribute to global stability.”
Staff Brigadier (SEA) Al-Ansari said: “Fincantieri is a prestigious global shipbuilder and a leading industry force. We have forged a strong and close relationship as highlighted through their ongoing sponsorship and support. This announcement is part of a number of upcoming agreements that reflect international confidence in DIMDEX as a key platform for industry networking and business opportunities.”
While Mr. Fulfaro elaborated: “We are pleased to renew our collaboration with DIMDEX, one of the most important events in the Defence world. As a leading company in this sector, the strengthening of relationships is a fundamental point of our winning business model based, among other things, on partnerships with the most prestigious players in the area.”
The sponsorship announcement is part of a broader cooperation between the State of Qatar and Fincantieri which is one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups serving numerous foreign customers through a wide range of products and services, including the supply of integrated logistic support services and activities.
Last year, Fincantieri signed a deal to build seven ships for Qatar, consisting of four air defense corvettes measuring over 100 meters in length, one amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock acting as mobile radar station for the corvettes), and two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).
Marking its 10thanniversary at this special upcoming edition, DIMDEX will once again prove it is more than just an exhibition. DIMDEX 2018 will be ‘A World-Class Platform for Technology, Maritime & Defence Industry Capabilities’ that strengthens Doha’s position as a burgeoning business hub and offers global vendors, visitors and guests valuable commercial opportunities to lucrative markets, as a dynamic networking and business platform.
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, as well as the first producer by diversification and presence in all high value-added sectors, with almost 19,400 employees and 20 shipyards in 4 continents.
In the naval field Fincantieri is the reference partner of the Italian Navy and serves numerous foreign customers, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, offering a wide range of products, such as surface ships, submarines, special ships, and services for both the platform and the combat system, from industrial maintenance, repair, overhaul and conversions to those related to the life cycle management, both through the supply of integrated logistic support services and of in service support activities.
Since its inception, DIMDEX has witnessed continuous growth to become a leading event in the international maritime defense and security industry calendar. The three-day event also features the international strategic Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), Visiting Warship Display from international naval forces, and elite VIP delegation visits.
