Interviews with His Highness - 19 February, 2011

Sheikh Mohammed's statement on the occasion of IDEX 2011

IDEX 2011, in its tenth session, will offer new electronic defence systems and sophisticated weaponry, some of which have not yet been showcased anywhere else in the world. This will allow the countries of the region, the Middle East and North Africa the opportunity to view these modern defence products and procure them through commercial transactions taking place in the exhibition every year.

We in the UAE do not look at IDEX or the Dubai AirShow as two platforms to generate an arms race in the region, as some claim, but see them purely in terms of trade, tourism and technology. We view the exhibitions this way because of the diversity of attendees and participants at these events, which have gained international fame and earned great confidence amongst exhibitors and consumers. This makes the United Arab Emirates an ideal meeting place for people of different races and a gateway between East and West. The event also allows our armed forces personnel and police to gain valuable experience and knowledge through interacting with experts and professionals who arrive from all corners of the world.

IDEX 2011, which will begin tomorrow, is partnered with the Dubai AirShow as they complement each other in enhancing the success and reputation enjoyed by the two exhibitions on the international and regional stages.

The continued success of IDEX in developing demand from countries, companies, manufacturers and individuals, demonstrate its success, strength and quality, and positions itself as a key event in the fields of economics and tourism. It also creates an opportunity for cross-cultural understanding as visitors get an opportunity to see the cultural expressions of our country and its Arab and Islamic traditions and customs.

We are confident that this year's show will see a large turnout and an increase in the proportion of exhibitors and visitors because it showcases all that is new in the world of defence industries and military technology.

The success of the exhibition industry in our country in its various fields, including trade, tourism, health, culture, science and others, can be attributed to many factors, the most important among them being the balanced policies of the leadership at regional and international levels. The industry also benefits from the openness at political, economic, cultural and humanitarian levels, as adopted by our nation since its founding in the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This approach has continued under President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, may God protect him.

Among the other factors explaining our success are the ideal geographic location of our beloved country and advances in transportation and modern communication systems, all of which make the UAE the premier destination for companies, businessmen and tourists. There are also state-of-the-art facilities provided by the government for investors, firms, businessmen and job seekers, alongside marketing opportunities, investment and secure living conditions in a multicultural environment.

We in the UAE, both the people and the leadership, are proud of our country's reputation and its well established position regionally and internationally. We are also proud of our young people, as well as their skill and expertise in various sectors that make them worthy of our confidence as leaders, thus allowing them to assume their responsibilities in business leadership and the tasks entrusted to them.

Exhibitions have become one of the most important industries, which are organised and managed by our country's youth; and this is another major reason why we have confidence in our young people, our institutions, security and stability that attract capital, companies and individuals.

The preparations for the next session of the Dubai AirShow are in the full swing as the organisers, promoters, security agencies, media and logistics, are working together to make it an event that will perpetuate the solid reputation it has earned over the last 20 years. The event will take place within the next nine months in the UAE, the land of love, tolerance and peace.