São Paulo – Delegations from Arab countries are attending LAAD Defence & Security, the industry show running from this Tuesday (2) to Friday (5) at Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro. The Arab market will be the subject of a workshop at the event on Wednesday (6), to be held by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian Defense and Security Industries Association (Abimde). The workshop will cover the use of defense and security technologies by other industries.
This edition of LAAD features 450 product and technology suppliers. Thirty-seven thousand fairgoers have registered, and 442 security authorities are expected. The organizers invited delegations from countries that either sustain ties with Brazil or are markets for the industry. Arab countries fitting the bill include Egypt, Mauritania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Abimde projects director Paulo José de Albuquerque Campos (pictured) said Arab countries attend the show on a regular basis, as does Brazil in similar expos held in Arab countries, like Bahrain International Defence Exhibition & Conference (Bidec), the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi, and the International Event for Homeland Security and Civil Defence (Milipol), in Qatar. Bidec is a featured exhibitor at LAAD.
“Arab markets are strategic to us,” says Albuquerque. He relates that the industry has long-standing relations with Arab countries, with Arab goods selling in Brazil and vice versa. Arab fairgoers other than the guest delegations are expected at the LAAD, since several countries decide to attend on their own.
When it comes to the Arab countries, Abimde is interested in exploring dual-use technologies – i.e. those suited for both peaceful and military purposes. Albuquerque will speak during the workshop. “Defense is a high-technology industry, and its products will spill over into civil society,” he said. As cases in point, the director mentions aircraft used in farming and Navy-intended drones used in inspection of hydroelectric plants.
The workshop “Arab Countries: overview and strategic partnership opportunity” will feature the Arab Chamber’s president Rubens Hannun, CEO Tamer Mansour and government relations manager Fernanda Baltazar. The subject covered will be the sharing of Brazilian knowledge with Arab countries for dual-use technology purposes. According to Baltazar, the goal is to recount what has happened in the past and what could be done in the future.
LAAD is the industry’s premier meeting point in Brazil, with products and services on show in addition to discussions and lectures. The expo is restricted to the military, police forces, authorities and defense/security industry professionals. Attending foreign delegations comprise officials from Defense ministries, and armed and security force officers. The expo is held by Clarion Eventos with support from the Brazilian ministries of Defense and Justice, the Brazilian Armed Forces, and the Brazilian Public Security sector. Abimde is a supporter and an exhibitor along with Brazilian enterprises.
Quick facts
LAAD Defence & Security
April 2-5, 2019
10am-6pm (10am-5pm on Friday)
Riocentro – Av. Salvador Allende, 6.555 – Barra da Tijuca – Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Find out more here
Workshop – Arab Countries: overview and strategic partnership opportunity
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Abimde Pavilion at LAAD Defence & Security
4pm-6pm
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
