WAM Abu Dhabi, 28th Jan. 2009: Abu Dhabi’s upcoming 9th International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2009) will be the largest exhibition in the Gulf region this year, beating predictions of a business slowdown in the industry and the region’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector.
IDEX is one of the world’s largest defence events. It will occupy exhibition space of 55,000 gross sq. m. as well as extensive outdoor areas of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The capital’s Al Bateen Channel has been dredged to enable warships and naval craft to berth at ADNEC Quay which is located directly opposite the exhibition centre grandstand. Visitors will be able to reach these exhibits via a recently erected pedestrian bridge joining Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with ADNEC Quay. A temporary mobility track will be constructed in front of the ADNEC grandstand for military vehicles to demonstrate their capabilities across a number of obstacles and challenging terrain.
IDEX 2009, which will run from February 22 to 26, is being 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.
Mohamed Al Mashgouni, IDEX 2009 Show Director, said: “We are very pleased with the very high level of participation in IDEX this year, a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s continuing importance as a regional hub for business and industry and the ongoing interest in defence and security issues around the world. IDEX 2009 will be a counterpoint to the prevailing market sentiment of economic slowdown.” IDEX 2009 has also benefited considerably from recent enhancements to its host venue ADNEC. ADNEC’s 12 exhibition halls and central outdoor display area allow a wider variety of larger tri-service exhibits to be showcased; the ADNEC Quay extension enables a comprehensive Naval focus; and the live outdoor mobility track will allow visitors to closely observe land vehicles display their speed, agility and capabilities in challenging terrain.
IDEX, considered the ideal platform for the defence industry to showcase emerging technology, equipment, trends and strategy, will feature land, sea and air vehicles and systems, radar, electronic warfare and electro-optic systems, weapons and ordnance, C4ISR, CBRN defence, homeland and internal security, simulation and training, logistics, medical and survival systems and personal equipment.
Around 48 nations will be represented at IDEX 2009, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 trade visitors including government and industry leaders.
Venue: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (known locally as ADNEC)
Location: Located on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street/ Coast Road (30th Street)
Adjacent to the Zayed Military Hospital
Near to Zayed Sports City and Embassies area
Dates: 22-26 February 2009
Location map to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Venue for IDEX)
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