UAE President opens show
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday declared the eighth IDEX at the new Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre officially open. The opening ceremony was attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister; Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Crown Princes, Sheikhs and high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Also present were heads of delegations and exhibitors.
In his opening address, Sheikh Khalifa reaffirmed the UAE’s desire to forge strong, constructive partnerships with international manufacturers. He pointed out the long experience gained over the past three decades in organising global defence shows and the “pioneering, administrative, technological and scientific human resources [of the UAE] who wield creative skills and capabilities”.
He also emphasised that the UAE is a state of peace, understanding and harmony, but said that there was a need to protect this peace. “The UAE military strategy and its plan to build an integrated and solid defence system reflect our keenness to safeguard our national interests
and sovereignty, as well as possess, build and enhance the deterrent force,” Sheikh Khalifa added.Sheikh Khalifa, who is also Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, expressed satisfaction at the quantitative and qualitative progress IDEX 2007 has achieved in terms of surface area and participation of international firms and countries, as well as the state-of-the-art defence systems and equipment technologies showcased.
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