The higher organizing committee of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017) and the Naval Defense Exhibition and Conference (NAVDEX 2017) held its sixth meeting at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) last week, to discuss latest preparations by specialized committees to host the leading events in Abu Dhabi.

Both IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, between 19-23 February 2017 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces.

Major General Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Head of the Organizing Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX, said: “Both events will provide an important platform for local defense industries to gain a valuable experience and develop the defense sector. They also give the UAE Armed Forces a unique opportunity to view the latest developments taking place globally in this sector.”

“The exhibitions complement the role of our armed forces, in collaboration with all government and national entities, to support different economic sectors in line with the vision of our leadership,” he added.

“I am confident that our teams are exerting all necessary efforts to achieve what is required to organize such important events in a way that reflects their growing reputation and position internationally,” he concluded.

For his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “The increasing global significance of IDEX and NAVDEX requires us to deliver the best results and go beyond the expectations of our visitors and participants.”

“ADNEC’s success in organizing leading international exhibitions and its esteemed reputation in the MICE industry have come as a result of continuous efforts and efficiency of its team which is led by top Emirati talents. This reinforces our strategy that aims to train and prepare national personnel to lead the economic sectors that are prioritized by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030,” he noted.

“In cooperation with the higher organizing committee and the UAE Armed Forces, ADNEC’s team is currently preparing to organize parallel events during IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017. We expect to welcome senior military officials and experts from the region and the world,” he added.

Al Dhaheri pointed out that ADNEC is currently putting the final touches to the online registration system dedicated to exhibitors and visitors looking to receive entry permits. He also mentioned that ADNEC is cooperating with international expert houses to ensure fast delivery of these permits. The company will soon announce the beginning of registration.

More than 1,200 exhibitors and 101,000 visitors from across the globe participated in IDEX 2015, with signed deals amounting to over AED18.3 billion.