BIDEC 2017 welcomes international participants, media

Manama, Oct. 15 (BNA): Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, the first edition of Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference covering air, land and sea will take place on October 16-18 at Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. Under the auspices of His Highness Brigadier Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of Bahrain Royal Guard and High Committee Chairman of BIDEC 2017, the organizing Committee held a press conference chaired by Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies "Derasat" and Spokesperson and Chairman of MEMAC Organising Committee. Present were Shaikh Khalid bin Hamoud Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA), and Tim Porter, Managing Director, Clarion Defence & Security at Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. On this occasion, HH SHaikh Nasser affirmed that within the framework to promote the position of the Kingdom as a gateway to the Middle East and investment-attractive environment and a major hub for industry expos in the region, BIDEC will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Highness expressed his utmost gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty for patronizing this prestigious international event. His Highness added that hosting a major event such as BIDEC is a translation of the aspirations of the wise leadership, and has assumed a privileged position on the global events map in various fields, especially in the field of defence, to be known since ancient times as the crossroads of civilization and a land of peace. HH the Commander of the Royal Guard pointed out that BIDEC is the first tri-service defence exhibition in the region, covering land, sea and air. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to meet experts, specialists and representatives of major defence equipment companies and all three services in one place. It will also serve as a platform for the world's leading companies to showcase the latest defence systems and modern technologies. BIDEC will also provide the military authorities with the opportunity to access the latest technology, equipment and hardware. His Highness added that the rising number of the exhibiting companies to participate and contribute effectively in BIDEC is considered a very important indicator of the Kingdom's role and its strategic location, maintaining strong international relations arising from the trust of the partners and key regional and international allies placed in the Kingdom. The Royal Guard Commander noted that hosting the first edition of BIDEC underlines a number of important facts, mainly that the exhibition industry in Bahrain has been a great success and BIDEC is on the way to achieve a paradigm shift and new successes added to the achievements of Bahrain in the exhibition industry field, thus gaining firm foothold on the world map in this vital field of investment and promotion, in order to reach a level of excellence by innovation and creation in this industry. He also noted that BIDEC will also host a number of features at various sites across the country that will strengthen Bahrain's position as a leading destination in hosting international events and enhance the role of the exhibition, which will include Parachute Demonstrations, Shooting Demonstrations, Military Vehicle Demonstrations and a Warship Display. His Highness stated that BIDEC is experiencing heavy participation of the largest international companies in the defence industry, indicating BIDEC’s unparalleled success which will bring together more than 50 senior military and political leaders and officials from friendly and allied countries, with more than 180 exhibitors and international manufacturers and suppliers of the most advanced equipment, technology and military systems, as well as 115 display stands at the exhibition, attracting local, regional and international audience of key decision-makers from governments, armies and defence industries from more than 50 countries. His Highness hailed all the good efforts made by all actors to ensure the success of this exhibition. This achievement is added to the ones of Bahrain and stresses the success achieved by the people of the Kingdom who continue to pursue the vision of His Majesty King Hamad. His Highness expressed pride in the achievements of Bahrain Defence Force, concerning its development and its high level of combat readiness and proficiency, and as a modern force that contributes to the establishment of regional peace and security, as well as, the foundation for the protection of the homeland and its national achievements His Highness Shaikh Nasser said that the world is witnessing a series of successive events, in which rapid changes are taking place that cast a shadow of its impact and risks over all, thus affecting growth and development. They also highlight the inevitability of forming military alliances between international forces, in order to serve as an effective barrier against the negativity of those variables, strengthening the workforce and coordinating the efforts so that the world be a coherent force that shares common visions and a common position. The organizing of Middle East Military Alliances and Coalitions Conference (MEMAC), which will be held alongside the Bahrain International Defence Exhibition (BIDEC), is important. The opening of the conference will be held on the first day of the exhibition at the Four Seasons Hotel, whilst its sessions will be held in the morning of the second day at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, during which many issues related to military alliances in the region will be addressed. His Highness the Royal Guard Commander added that it is from that perspective that MEMAC is organized in Bahrain, which aims at highlighting the importance of military alliances, and its role in creating a united and cooperative world in an opportunity to exchange ideas, opinions and strategic visions of the participating alliances as well as discuss the latest security and military developments regionally and internationally. His Highness also stressed that it is our responsibility at this time to play a role in facilitating strategic partnerships and alliances in our common fight against terrorism in the world. The MEMAC Conference is organized in conjunction with the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism and the Arab Coalition in Yemen and participants from major international military alliances such as NATO, UN Peacekeeping Operations and international officials and representatives of global think tanks. HH the Royal Guard Commander added that it is from that perspective that MEMAC is organized in Bahrain, which aims at highlighting the importance of military alliances, and their role in fighting against extremist terrorist organizations such as "Daesh", " Hezbollah" and " Houthis" that threaten global security and stability. It will also highlight the nexus between politics, diplomacy and military action. In addition, the sessions will focus on the challenges faced by joint operations and command structures and the political and diplomatic constraints to the process of developing an effective collective-defence mechanism. HH the High Committee Chairman of BIDEC 2017 added: "I would like to welcome all the participants to the Bahrain International Defence Exhibition in its first edition, wishing this international event and the participants all the success." Dr Shaikh Abdulla said: "The MEMAC Conference is significant in today’s rapidly changing world. We hope to create forums for open debate and strategic insight to build bridges of understanding that will help us find mutually acceptable solutions for global peace, security and stability. We consider the nurturing of networks and shared information as crucial to building shared vision." – He also expressed his thanks and gratitude to HH Shaikh Nasser as the MEMAC Conference will be held with his support. He stated that this international conference will be examining two main aspects: the strategic political perspective of military alliances and the military operational perspective, and will serve as a global platform for exchanging ideas and opinions on the latest security and military developments both regionally and internationally, especially with regard to combating terrorism and attempts to destabilize security and stability in the region, in cooperation with the Arab Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen and the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, led by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr Shaikh Abdulla added that "Derasat" will participate actively in the conference, in line with its role in spreading peace, promoting dialogue and serving sustainable development. He noted that the exhibition industry in Bahrain has been a great success and BIDEC is on the way to achieve a paradigm shift and new successes added to the achievements of Bahrain in the exhibition industry field, thus gaining a firm foothold on the world map in this vital field of investment and promotion, in order to reach a level of excellence by innovation and creation in this industry. Shaikh Khalid stressed that BIDEC 2017 boosts Bahrain’s status on the world map of specialised exihbitions and conferences, and consolidates its Arab, regional and international role in this regard, explaining that the event provides a suitable venue and platform to broaden the military partnership and participation with defence products, which will contribute to developing the military infrastructure in the exhibition industry. "BTEA is proud of the kingdom’s hosting of such a strategic event that will reflect positively, and in the long-run, on the kingdom’s growth on all levels. It will also boost the economic and tourism progress through the massive attendance, as well as the great number of exhibitors and visitors," he said. Deputy National Guard Commander, Brigadier-General Hamad Khalifa Al-Nuaimi, said that BIDEC 2017 is held at a time the security and stability of the region and the world are at risk, as a result of the increase of the organised terrorism phenomenon, extrenmism in all its forms, piracy and cyber attacks which are sponsored and supported by some countries, governments, parties and extremist groups in a bid to ignite conflicts and tensions across the region and the world. Al-Nuaimi called on the international community to assume its responsibility and confront those countries and entities that provide incubator environments and safe havens for terrorism, as well as support it and finance it, through cooperation and effective participation in regional and global alliances at all levels and with greater resolve and determination. He asserted that the effective participation in BIDEC 2017 will contribute to strengthening the bases and concepts of regional and global alliances so as to be essential pillars and factors that ensure the security, stability and safety of the world’s countries and peoples. Today, the world is in dire need, now more than ever, for activating the role of military and security alliances to confront the issues of terrorism and extremism, the Deputy National Guard Commander said. He stressed that governments are also more required to build their defence capacities and security systems, as well as to use modern technology, in cooperation and alliance with leading countries in this field, within an integrated framework aimed at protecting their peoples from the scourge of terrorism, and stave off imminent threats that jeorperdise their countries’ unity and integrity, and their peoples’ security, as well as addressing the repercussions of the brutal attacks on many countries and communities. Porter said: "BIDEC has surpassed our expectations and we are expecting a fantastic turnout from visitors during the coming days."