LOC17:14
14:14 GMT
Maritime Defense Exhibition (DIMDEX 2016)
DOHA, March 31 (KUNA) -- The largest edition of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2016) successfully came to a close at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Thursday with eight new deals announced on the final day, a press release said.
This brings the total value of deals signed at DIMDEX 2016 to QAR 32.58 billion. (QAR 1 = USD 0.27)
On Tuesday, a QAR 27.75 billion contract signing ceremony took place between Qatar and Rafale International (Dassault Aviation) for 24 Rafale fighter jets.
The following day, the total value of ten Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed was QAR 3.54 billion.
On the final day of DIMDEX 2016, Qatar penned eight new MoUs totaling QAR 1.29 billion. These include a 42 million euro MoU between the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and Qatari company Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) for diving support boats; a 41 million euro MoU between the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces and Turkish company Yonca Onuc (J.V.) for the purchase of fast interceptor vessels' a QAR 68 million MoU between the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces and European company Zodiac for the purchase of armed fast attack vessels; and a QAR 200 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and French company Airbus for a long distance satellite ground imaging station.
Other deals were, a QAR 34.6 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and South Korean company AK & Partners, Inc. for surveillance vehicles; a QAR 460.5 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and US company Aurora for drone sensor integration; a QAR 126.8 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and the US company L-3 for MX20D and M25 drone cameras; and finally a QAR 54.7 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and the US company Textron Systems for Aerosonde MK 4.7 drones.
As host and organizer, the Qatar Armed Forces are proud of DIMDEX 2016's contribution towards the development and prosperity of the State of Qatar and its reputation as a hub for events and conferences of global significance in line with the vision of our patron His Highness, The Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, said head of the Organizing Committee of DIMDEX 2016 Brigadier Dr. (Eng.) Thani Abdulrahman Al-Kuwari.
"Our success this year would not have been achieved without the trust our visitors, exhibitors and VIP delegations placed in the organizers, and their belief in the importance of DIMDEX 2016," Al-Kuwari added in a concluding atatement.
"Due to the success of DIMDEX 2016 and positive feedback received, the Qatar Armed Forces are delighted to announce that DIMDEX will return in 2018 from March 12 to 14. Preparations for DIMDEX 2018 are already underway and we will be working tirelessly to continue DIMDEX's upwards growth trajectory," he noted.
Surpassing the success of previous years, DIMDEX 2016 attracted more exhibitors and higher levels of participation by welcoming 9,000 visitors and official VIP delegations from over 60 participating countries. (end)
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