ABU DHABI: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has stressed that the UAE is moving at a steady pace to achieve its developmental goals in various fields under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the follow-up of His Highness Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the support of Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.
In an interview on the occasion of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, Idex 2015, Shaikh Mohammad said that the country's achievements have been witnessed across all sectors and have been accomplished by the hand of loyal and faithful Emiratis.
He expressed his satisfaction at the great developments witnessed by Idex since its launch, hailing the great care and support dedicated to the event by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, resulting in its amazing success.
Shaikh Mohammad also commended the sincere efforts behind organising the event in such an impressive way, as figures show a clear indication of the success of the event which now occupies a privileged position among the most important defence exhibitions in the world, attracting major companies working in the defence field, along with continuing growth in the number of participants and exhibitors.
Shaikh Mohamamd valued Idex as one of the good cultural interfaces for the UAE and commended its value in terms of the exchange of experiences and ideas about defence solutions and equipment that provide the opportunity to be acquainted with the world's latest findings in this area.
Shaikh Mohammad noted the growing importance of Idex, especially at a time where the region and the world are facing grave challenges and risk escalation, especially the threat of terrorism, which now represents one of the most serious challenges that threaten the world, and dictate its willingness to confront and work to eradicate it in order to preserve security of homelands, and the safety and stability of peoples.
Speaking on the factors that contributed to Idex's continuous success, he said, "The UAE is distinguished globally in many sectors, notably in the field of specialised exhibitions industry as our country is known by its important major exhibitions, in light of its cumulative experience in organising exhibitions and its achievements in the field of strong logistical capabilities, in addition to its geographic location in the heart of the world, all of which are elements combined together to support the success of the exhibition industry, which still holds more opportunities for development and success in the future."
He expressed confidence in the ability of the United Arab Emirates to proceed at a steady pace in the field of defence manufacturing in order to meet local needs for the future, noting the UAE's remarkable progress in this regard over the past years and its success in developing local industry foundations that meet a large part of the state's in-house needs, contributing to strengthening defence capabilities within a sophisticated system including the latest of the world's production in this area.
He commended the continuing evolution in the UAE's defence industries, both at the level of equipment or ammunition, expressing his hope that this strategic sector will witness further development in the near future and thus confirming the country's ability to deter enemies and provides the UAE's valiant armed forces with solutions and equipment enabling them to enhance their efficiency and undertake their defensive duties optimally.
Shaikh Mohammad wished all the best to Emirates Defence Industries Company, EDIC, which was established as a result of fruitful cooperation between Mubadala Development and Tawazun Holding, highlighting his confidence that this cooperation is the beginning of a new phase in which the UAE proves its superiority in the field of production of defence equipment and solutions that meet the nation's needs.
Shaikh Mohammad confirmed that the growing ability of the UAE armed forces means more stamina and protection of the nation and that this growth strengthens confidence in the UAE's ability to cooperate with sisterly countries in the region to confront common challenges under the turbulent conditions witnessed by different parts of our Arab world. He stressed the importance of strengthening the bonds of integration and defence cooperation between GCC countries within the overall cooperation system of its countries, and building on what has been established and accomplished in this area.
