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The UAE defense and security industry is gearing for strong participation at the 16th Defence Services Asia (DSA 2018) Exhibition and Conference, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 16-19 April. A large group of defense and security companies will promote their Made In UAE products in the event through the UAE Pavilion.

The Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) will organize the UAE Pavilion at the DSA 2018. EDCC will be supported by its strategic partners; the GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces and Tawazun Economic Council.

The UAE companies will use the pavilion to display their latest products, spanning various defense and security industries, like military vehicles, aerospace; munition systems; naval vessels; telecommunications; MRO, cybersecurity; logistical support and technical development.

Since 2012, the UAE Pavilion has enabled participation of defense and security companies in more than 10 international events, held in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Other countries taking part in DSA 2018 include the United States, the United Ki9ngdom, France, China, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Pakistan and South Africa.

“As one of the leading defense exhibitions in the world, DSA 2018 represents an excellent opportunity for us to present our innovative and highly advanced defense and homeland security solutions to the world through the UAE Pavilion,” said H.E. Tareq Abdul Raheem al Hosani, Chief Executive officer of Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun).

He went on to say the UAE’s massive participation through a national pavilion testifies to the huge potential the country, and the national companies, have in the defense and security industry.

“As a prime enabler for a sustainable defense and security industry in the UAE, Tawazun Economic Council seeks to maximize economic benefits by providing the needed inputs for the industrial development, driving necessary industry regulations and contributing to economic diversification,” he added.

To fulfil its mandate of promoting businesses in the UAE, Tawazun Economic Council established Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), a hub for strategic defense and aerospace manufacturing, which is already home to 16 companies, specializing in advanced, precision industries. TIP provides the complete industrial infrastructure in a community environment, with a dedicated zone for manufacturing, assembling, and storage for defense-related products.

Sultan Abdulla Al Samahi, Acting General Manager of the EDCC, said The Council and national defense companies’ participation in DSA 2018 come as part of the efforts to build a communication between industry players both local and international and aims to facilitate effective networking and partnership development and promotion of UAE businesses.“Through our participation in DSA 2018, we seek to explore potentials for cooperation with the world’s leading industry players, and to get acquainted with the latest updates in industrial technology and systems,” he said.

He applauded the support provided by the EDCC’s strategic partners, including the UAE Ministry of Defense, GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces, and Tawazun Economic Council, and referred to the latter’s role in the Council’s establishment.

Fayez Saleh Al Nahddy, Chief Executive Officer of TIP, said their participation in the DSA 2018 will entail promoting the competitive advantages and incentives the Park offers to defense manufacturing investors.

“As an integrated facility for defence and security-related manufacturing, TIP supports the UAE’s long-term ambitions to develop specialist areas of expertise in key industries and is already home to a number of world leaders in defense manufacturing,” he stated.

The EDCC is mandated to be the primary communication platform between industry players both local and international, as well as strategic government stakeholders.

It also plays a crucial role in promoting the UAE businesses abroad through the UAE Defense Pavilion, sharing of useful information, expertise, and productive discussion on industry topics.