QNB Group and the Organizing Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) have jointly announced that QNB Group will be the Main Sponsor for DIMDEX 2016 at an Official Sponsorship Signing Ceremony.
Brig. Dr. (Eng) Thani A. Al-Kuwari, Assistant Minister of State for Defense Affairs for Financial Affairs and Chairman of DIMDEX said: “We are delighted to have the support of QNB Group, Qatar’s largest bank with a global presence strengthened even further with QNB Group as Main Sponsor of DIMDEX 2016.”
Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Executive General Manager, Chief Business Officer at QNB Group said: “QNB Group is proud to support DIMDEX 2016 due to its positive contribution to Qatar. In terms of Qatar’s economic development, DIMDEX welcomes thousands of international visitors to Qatar and attracts major defense industry companies. DIMDEX also enhances Qatar’s international reputation by hosting delegations from over 50 countries together in Doha and is showcasing maritime defense technologies that are used to safeguard trade.”
QNB Group is the biggest bank in Qatar and a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa. QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 27 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 15,200 operating through more than 635 locations, with an ATM network of more than 1,390 machines.
The contract was signed by Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S. Al-Ansari DIMDEX Deputy Chairman and DIMDEX Board Member, and by Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Executive General Manager, Chief Business Officer on behalf of QNB Group.
Following the Official Sponsorship Signing Ceremony was a diplomat briefing session held by the Qatar Armed Forces - the organizers and hosts of DIMDEX 2016 - for Ambassadors, Defense Attachés and the media at the Diplomatic Club, Doha.
“2016 is a notable year in the history of the show, as it marks the first edition of DIMDEX to be both organised and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces. We are honoured by the huge international support received from participating nations, which has helped DIMDEX grow to become comparable in size and reputation with the largest shows of its type in the world,” the Chairman of DIMDEX said:
DIMDEX 2016 is expected to be the largest edition of the show to date, with new countries participating for the first time, exhibitors demonstrating new technologies, and an expansion in DIMDEX’s scope to cover new sectors such as maritime aviation, naval base security, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), maritime patrol aircraft and coastal surveillance systems.
Official VIP delegations comprising of Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of navies, coastguard commanders and heads of defence industries had been invited to participate.
The panel invited DIMDEX 2016 visitors to tour warships berthed a short distance away from the exhibition in Doha Commercial Port during the event. The audience was also briefed about the security protocol and logistics for these visiting warships and their organised activities, including a sports tournament between the crews.
The panel summarised the format and content of the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), a high-level conference that encourages international cooperation and exchange of information. The panel revealed the theme of this year’s conference is: “The Maritime Domain – The Centre of Gravity for the Regional Security Complex of the Arabian Gulf”, and how the speakers will address the issues from a range of military and non-military perspectives.
DIMDEX is a biennial event held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. Hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, DIMDEX 2016 will take place in Doha from 29 to 31 March 2016.
