The UAE is a country of peace and its policy is considered a role model to be followed by other nations in the area of regional and international relations, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister said yesterday.
The UAE is a country of peace and its policy is considered a role model to be followed by other nations in the area of regional and international relations, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister said yesterday.
"We do not work against anyone and we are not enemies to any party or country, and this is why our Armed Forces are built on national defence bases."
"Our Armed Forces are meant to defend our country, people, independence and sovereignty. Stemming from this fact, when our Armed Forces are required to perform their national and humanitarian duties, they are always ready and well prepared to implement their political leadership's orders.
Speaking of the importance of the show, Shaikh Mohammad said it is considered as one of the biggest events that has kept pace with the UAE's progress. The show really reflects the civilised image of the UAE, he said
Over the past editions, the exhibition has achieved major progress and established itself among the most important international aviation exhibitions.
It has become a key event on the agenda of international aviation industry and all related industries, Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad said the ninth edition has recorded a 20 per cent growth in the number of exhibitors, with more than 726 companies from 46 countries taking part.
The increase was noticeably seen in the number of exhibitors and the leading aviation companies. This required the opening of a third hall at the Dubai International Exhibitions Centre, to offer exhibitors more spaces to display their products and technologies.
In reply to question about his evaluation of the size and nature of the deals made during the past air exhibitions, expectations for this year's show, the conditions of offset, and how much the offset programme has served the national goals, mainly benefiting from advanced technology, Shaikh Mohammad said: "Dubai International Air Show now presents a model working environment to all sides of the aviation industry, namely exhibitors, buyers, and those who follow up the developments in this industry, which is extremely important to the country's economy as well as the world economy.
As for the deals, it is hard to estimate their size, since some of them had already been made, and are being announced to benefit from the huge global interest in the exhibition, its visitors, events, and scientific forums. Negotiations for some deals are concluded during the air show, and some begin at the air show, after those concerned have reviewed exhibited products closely, especially the latest aircrafts, machinery, equipment, systems, and others.
Countries and companies do not go to international exhibitions for instant shopping. The exhibition gives attendants and participants a rare opportunity to communicate, become acquainted, and build new working networks.
In brief, producers, providers and buyers find their needs under one roof at Dubai air show. As for the offset subject, it is a private issue between the concerned sides, buyers and sellers. Each one has his own needs and policies.
This is a mutual issue between two sides, and has nothing to do with Dubai air show or any other international exhibition.
"To us in the UAE, the offset programme aims to serve our national programmes in transforming technology and experience, and develop direct foreign investments, which is being achieved successfully.
In reply to a question about the lessons learned and the benefit reaped from our armed forces' participation in human causes, Kosovo, for example, Shaikh Mohammad said: "The UAE is a country of peace. This is why our armed forces are built on national and defensive bases. They are to defend our nation, people, independence, and national sovereignty. This is why, when our forces are asked to do their national or human duty, they are ready and prepared to follow the orders of their political leadership, including offering help to those who need it or ask for it, regardless of ethnicity, religion or geography. Our armed forces contributed to establishing peace, security and settlement in many Arab and international troubled areas, besides offering human aid in terms of providing medical services, houses, and food to many affected countries, due to wars or natural disasters.
"By doing this, our armed for
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