US companies expand presence as interest in Gulf region rises

Abu Dhabi: The number of US companies participating in Idex 2007 has increased substantially this year with the country's pavilion space almost doubling from 980 square metres last year to 1,900 square metres this year.

"There are 54 US companies participating this year, a substantial increase compared to the number two years ago," retired Lieutenant General Roger G. Thompson, vice-president of the Association of the US Army, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the inauguration of the exhibition yesterday.

American arms producers are having an increased level of interest in the Arabian Gulf region, even before the current imbroglio over Iran's controversial nuclear programme, according to Thompson.

With pressure mounting in the US Congress for a withdrawal from Iraq, the Defense News magazine claims that the US military spending is poised for a decrease, which might provoke US arms manufacturers to seek more sales overseas.

Defence budget

However, Thompson explained that in the short-term, the US defence budget will increase. "The budget which has been submitted by the president to Congress has a substantial increase in spending on the army and the Marines. Most of that is war-related expenditure," he said, explaining that nothing of the sort was mentioned during their business contacts.

"The US companies are simply keen to participate in this growing event, with major players such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Boeing having taken up major exhibition space," Thompson said.

The association participates in major defence exhibitions in France, Malay-sia and the UK.

"Idex is a very large and significant event, and it compares fairly to the show in Paris in terms of size, and is growing," he said.

The new extension of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is hosting the international event, which occupying an indoor and outdoor space of 32,000 square metres.

In 2009, with the completion of the final phase of extension, the defence show is expected to occupy a greater area to rank as the top defence exhibition worldwide.