By: Elham Abul Fateh
Tomorrow, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will inaugurate the first Egyptian Defense Expo (EDEX) organized in Egypt. For the world, defense exhibitions are quite known for a long time. Egypt may be somehow late, but it’s really a dream that no one ever dares to think about.
Egypt, however, with strength and courage, proved that it is capable of doing it. The country announced the expo, first of its kind domestically and in Africa.
The exhibition will be attended by a large number of visitors, participants and heads of military forces from around the world.
This military fair is an evidence of the strength and capacity of Egypt, but also its military might, which is connected mainly to its political one, and its experiences in wars and weapon industry, such as manufacturing French Gowind-class corvette frigates in Alexandria.
The defense exhibitions are not new for the developed world. Typically, international weapons companies gather in an expo to display their latest products, which allows many parties to get a closer look at the latest weapons but also constitutes a point of strength to the host country.
The display of such a large number of new weapons gives countries the chance to compare between products and prices, enquire about their technical questions and spotting the latest weapons' technology. In return, this is contributing to designing the defense strategies of the participating countries, and defining their needs.
In my point of view, this expo is the biggest global media promotion for Egypt, and will work to attract tourists from all over the world. It is an evidence of the capacity and might of Egypt but also the security it enjoys and a highly- trained army, making it the strongest military force in Africa with its new equipment and efficient personnel.
The participants at the expo are going to display their products, showing the best they have; the latest military technology.
It is of paramount importance to organize this expo in Egypt which is strategically located at the "heart of the world", in reference to its political and military might as well as its deep-rooted relations with the world.
Worthy to note is that I watched the press conference of the army in which they announce the organizing of the expo, saying that the products which are to be displayed are some of the latest and newest global systems of weapons and associated techniques.
The conference also emphasized that the expo will act as a gathering for some of the largest international companies in the field of weapon manufacturing, besides the Egyptian military products, companies affiliated to the Ministry of Military Production and the Arab Organization for Industrialization.
The exhibition is organized in cooperation with ‘Clarion International’, the largest organizer of international military and security exhibitions, and has participated in the organization of more than 200 previous events.
Up to 373 participants from defense and security systems manufacturers from 56 countries are taking part in the expo, which lasts for three days, along with more than 10,000 visitors. It will also be attended by 10 defense ministers, 7 chiefs of staff and 8 ministers of war production. Special programs have been designed for the VIPs.
Egypt will have one section that will include all its products. The number of US companies participating is 42, France 32, 20 from China and 27 companies from the UAE. The states are to be given special sections under their names for their companies to display their products.
The expo is a big event that introduces Egypt as a country having a developed military industry, capable of competing with other big sides, as well as having a variety of military products, manufactured by national companies and with pure Egyptian hands.
It’s a chance to show our military products before the world, but also before the workers at those Egyptian companies as well as the officers.
Though it is the first time Egypt is organizing it, the expo is starting strongly and will place the country on the main map of international defense expo organizers.
It will be organized every two years to show Egyptian military products as well as those of the world, and to allow its marketing on regional and global levels.
I hope it will be also a chance for regional gathering to discuss the contemporary issues and exchange opinions and expertise.
On top of that, I consider that a large number of participants from big international companies will also benefit from the Egyptian military experience. They will have the opportunity to know the latest technology in this regard as well as allowing as many companies and engineers in Egypt as possible to get familiar with the country's weapon industry's development.
It’s worth noting that the army is continuously sending officers to attend international defense exhibitions to grasp the latest technologies and transferring techniques to military manufacturers.
The expo is also a chance to market our products and effect transactions with the participating companies that will get to learn about Egyptian products and their latest weapons.
All this reflects Egypt’s strength and deep-rooted relations with various countries of the world. Since most visitors to the exhibition are foreign and Arab, it is a good chance to promote investment projects, and encourage a new wave of tourism.
It sends a strong message to the world that Egypt is stable and safe, and that it is capable of organizing all international conferences in all fields but also availing an economic opportunity to market Egyptian products to all countries of the world.
The most important message of this exhibition, however, is to increase awareness, especially among young people, that the state and the armed forces are working to place Egypt between the big and advanced countries.
The country, through waging war on terror, has played a great role in building a strong economy and powerful military and forever it will continue to achieve swift progress. Live Long Egypt.
Follow the latest news on Google News
