The Emirates Defense Companies Council, EDCC, is preparing to launch a new strategy that aims to bolster its role in enabling UAE’s defense and security industries sector, said Mohamed Helal Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and member of the Council’s Board of Directors.

Al Muhairi made the remarks while addressing a session that took place in Abu Dhabi on Monday to elect new members to the Council’s Board of Directors.

“The board elections day is a testimony to the amount of progress we have made in achieving our vision for a UAE defense industry that is transparent, communicative, and mutually supportive. It is also a reflection of the keenness shown by our key government stakeholders to provide an environment for long-standing and mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in the areas of knowledge, technology and expertise transfer,” Al Muhairi said.

Al Muhairi congratulated the elected members of the board and described the elections as another step in the EDCC’s journey to success and a powerful tool for achieving its goals. He urged them to continue strengthening the Council’s role as a primary communication platform between industry players as well as strategic government stakeholders.

“We have come a long way in growing the EDCC membership, which stand now at 63 companies, from just 24 in 2014.” Al Muhairi also commended the continuous support provided to the Council by the UAE leadership and key strategic partners.

“I am confident that under the guidance of our visionary leadership and the unwavering support of our key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defense, the GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces, and Tawazun Economic Council, we will grow further in both numbers and influence as we strive to explore potentials and to tap into opportunities that present themselves.”

Al Muhairi concluded by emphasizing the importance of public private partnerships, PPPs, in building a solid foundation for the national defense and security industries.

The new elected members of the Council’s Board of Directors were announced, and include Major General (Rtd.) Al Sayed Abdullah Al Sayed Al Hashimi, representing Calidus, Mohammed Seddiq Al Mutawa, representing Atlas Dynamics, Saeed Ghanem, representing MGI and Rashid Al Mutawa, representing Atlas Group.

The elected Board members will be joined by others members, appointed through a resolution issued by Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council and Board Chairman of the EDCC, and include: Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Chief Economic Development Officer of Tawazun Economic Council; Mohamed Helal Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi is the Chief Executive Officer of Aerospace, Renewables & Information Communications Technology (AR&I) for Mubadala; and Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi, Head of the Executive Directorate of Industries and Development of Defense Capabilities at the Ministry of Defense.

Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi, Head of the Executive Directorate of Industries and Development of Defense Capabilities at the Ministry of Defense, said the national defense and security industries sector has made a tremendous progress, thanks to the continuous support of the wise leadership.

He commended the role being played by the EDCC as a primary platform for communication among local and international industry players.

“The support provided by the Ministry of Defense and the General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces to the EDCC, reflects the trust in the national defense and security industry and its role in fostering the armed forces’ readiness and in driving technology-intensive industries in the UAE,” he added.

Sultan Abdulla al Samahi, Acting General Manager of the EDCC, said the Council is preparing to launch new strategic initiatives aimed at promoting UAE defense and security industries, both regionally and internationally. “We seek to enable EDCC member companies by facilitating networking opportunities with international peers and improving visibility in the global markets.”

The Council, according to Al Samahi, is preparing to organize the UAE Pavilion for defense and security companies at five major international events, in addition to the International Defense Exhibition, IDEX, which will take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.

The EDCC member companies operate in various fields, including aviation and aerospace, armoring systems, artillery systems, cyber security, logistical support, munitions and missiles, military vehicles, naval vessels, space and satellites, training and simulators service provision and R&D.