Brig. Dr. (Eng) Thani A. Al-Kuwari, Assistant Minister of State for Defence Affairs for Financial Affairs and Chairman of DIMDEX said: “We are delighted to have the support of QNB Group, Qatar’s largest bank with a global presence and DIMDEX’s international reputation will be strengthened even further with QNB Group as Main Sponsor.”

Brig. Dr. (Eng) Thani A. Al-Kuwari, Assistant Minister of State for Defence Affairs for Financial Affairs and Chairman of DIMDEX said:

“We are delighted to have the support of QNB Group, Qatar’s largest bank with a global presence and DIMDEX’s international reputation will be strengthened even further with QNB Group as Main Sponsor.”

Commenting on this, Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Executive General Manager, Chief Business Officer at QNB Group said:

“QNB Group is proud to support DIMDEX 2016 due to its positive contribution to Qatar. In terms of Qatar’s economic development, DIMDEX welcomes thousands of international visitors to the country and attracts major defence industry companies as exhibitors. DIMDEX also enhances Qatar’s international reputation by hosting delegations from over 50 countries together in Doha and is showcasing maritime defence technologies that are used to safeguard trade.”

QNB Group is the biggest bank in Qatar and a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa. QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 27 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 15,200 operating through more than 635 locations, with an ATM network of more than 1,390 machines.

The contract was signed by Staff Brig. (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al-Ansari, Deputy Chairman of DIMDEX on behalf of Brig. Dr. (Eng) Thani A. Al-Kuwari, Assistant Minister of State for Defence Affairs for Financial Affairs and Chairman of DIMDEX, and by Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Executive General Manager, Chief Business Officer on behalf of QNB Group.

Following the Official Sponsorship Signing Ceremony was a diplomat briefing session held by the Qatar Armed Forces - the organisers and hosts of DIMDEX 2016 - for ambassadors, defence attachés and the media at the Diplomatic Club, Doha. Attendees gained an update and overview on the different components of the forthcoming event on 29 to 31 March and received detailed organisational information for the smooth participation of delegates.

The Deputy Chairman of DIMDEX had said on behalf of the Chairman:

“2016 is a notable year in the history of the show, as it marks the first edition of DIMDEX to be both organised and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces.We are honoured by the huge international support received from participating nations, which has helped DIMDEX grow to become comparable in size and reputation with the largest shows of its type in the world.”

DIMDEX 2016 is expected to be the largest edition of the show to date, with new countries participating at DIMDEX for the first time, exhibitors demonstrating new technologies, and an expansion in DIMDEX’s scope to cover new sectors such as maritime aviation, naval base security, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), maritime patrol aircrafts and coastal surveillance systems.

Insights about opportunities to network with VIPs and senior defence decision-makers - one of the major attractions for DIMDEX visitors - was provided by the panel, with the VIP Delegation & Protocol Director speaking of how official VIP delegations comprising of Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of navies, coastguard commanders and heads of defence industries had been invited to participate.

The panel invited DIMDEX 2016 visitors to tour warships berthed a short distance away from the exhibition in Doha Commercial Port during the event. The audience was also briefed about the security protocol and logistics for these visiting warships and their organised activities, including a sports tournament between the crews.

To close this advantageous briefing, the panelsummarised the format and content of the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC). MENC is a high-level conference that encourages international cooperation and exchange of information, and an integral part of DIMDEX that brings together defence experts on strategic issues currently facing maritime security in the region. The panel revealed the theme of this year’s conference is: “The Maritime Domain – The Centre of Gravity for the Regional Security Complex of the Arabian Gulf”, and how the speakers will address the issues from a range of military and non-military perspectives.

The Official Sponsorship Signing Ceremony and the diplomat briefing were then followed by a networking lunch.