The 10th edition of the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (Idex) set to take place in Abu Dhabi has recorded a growth of 18.2 per cent over Idex 2009 to reach 1060 exhibitors, said a senior official.

“For the first time since Idex’s inception in 1993, exhibitor numbers have gone past the 1000-mark,” said Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, head of committees & spokesman for Idex 2011, at a pre-event press conference in the UAE capital.

“Total event space (gross sq m) has grown 14.8 per cent to 124,000 sq m (108,000 sq m in 2009), with Idex exhibitors this year, representing 53 countries (50 in 2009), including 32 national pavilions (same as 2009). Net event space (net sq m) has increased 14.58 per cent to 43,219 sq m (37,719sqm in 2009),” he added.

“Despite being a long-established show, at every Idex we strive for something new: new companies, new countries, new facilities and innovations and this time, is no different,” Major General Ketbi said.

Idex 2011 will take place from February 20 to 24 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

Idex is organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) in association with the UAE Armed Forces. Tawazun Holding is the headline sponsor for the event.
Of the 1060 exhibitors this year, 49 exhibiting companies will be located within the dedicated First Time Exhibitor Zone (FTEZ) introduced at this edition.

Also, a new feature at this edition is Navdex - a dedicated naval defence exhibition that’s being held in parallel, at the Adnec Marina and connected via a pedestrian bridge to the main exhibition venue.

Organised by Clarion Events on behalf of Adnec in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, Navdex occupies 16,000 sq m (gross), with 81 exhibiting companies, as well as four visiting navy ships from the UAE, the UK, Italy and France.

Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Adnec’s managing director, said: “A show of this stature gives us the opportunity to showcase our organisational capabilities as well as the excellent facilities we have been able to establish at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the Abu Dhabi leadership’s mandate.”

For Idex this year, the historic Adnec Grandstand, a 30-year old city landmark and an integral element in the Idex Opening Ceremony, has been significantly enhanced with the development of a brand-new Royal Box; a striking new canopy which arches over the Grandstand; and a new, tiered-seating system, to create a comfortable spectator experience.

Also, the display area which is located directly in front of the Adnec Grandstand has undergone significant development to create a permanently expanded parade area which will be used for the show. Another key investment made by Adnec since the last Idex, is the addition of the 408-room Aloft hotel, inter-connected with the exhibition centre.

The UAE will have a significant presence at Idex 2011 with 169 exhibitors occupying an area of 12,260 sq m. The largest international country pavilion is Germany (3,595 sq m) followed by USA (3,411 sq m), Turkey (2,179 sq m) and Italy (1,782 sq m).

The largest international exhibitor is Germany's Rheinmetall, occupying 1,274 sq m space whereas the largest UAE exhibitor will be Mubadala Development Company and its subsidiaries, with a 1,870 sq m stand. Tawazun Holding will occupy a total of 1,662 sq m of combined indoor and outdoor space.

The official conference for Idex, the Gulf Defence Conference (GDC), will be held on February 19 at the Armed Forces Officers' Club.

The GDC, organised by Inegma (Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis) on behalf of Adnec, is expected to host more than to 400 delegates and 9 international speakers focusing particularly on the emerging threats and novel technologies for GCC defence and security, a statement said.

More than 50,000 visitors including heads of state, high-ranking military and defence procurement officials, as well as business visitors are expected to attend Idex 2011, it added. – TradeArabia News Service