Jordan Times
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Jordan setting up defence QIZ

By Mohammad Ghazal and Petra

AMMAN - The Kingdom will set up a Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) for defence and military industries, a top army officer announced ahead of SOFEX 2008, which His Majesty King Abdullah inaugurated on Tuesday.

The announcement was made on the eve of the military fair, which saw participants, including local entities, sign several millions-worth business deals.

Director General of King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) Muayyad Samman said at a press conference late Monday that five factories are already under construction at the zone, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported yesterday.

Samman said the zone will be created over a 4,000 square metres in Khaldieh town in the eastern part of the country.

The seventh edition of SOFEX, which attracted some 300 exhibitors from across the world, showcase state-of-the-art equipment and weaponry, especially in the field of special operations.

King Abdullah toured the fair after special operations troops displayed their military equipment and conducted a hostage-rescue drill at the opening ceremony.

Another joint drill, a parachuting demonstration, involved Special Operations Forces from Jordan and other countries.

Samman said delegates were welcomed to invest in the industrial zone.

Also yesterday, the JoSecure International, affiliated with KADDB, signed a deal with Quadnetics Group Plc, a British group specialised in security services.

Under the deal, signed in the presence of HRH Prince Feisal, chairman of the board of directors of SOFEX, and Duke of York Prince Andrew, a company will be created in Jordan specialised in security and surveillance electronic solutions, according to Petra.

Meanwhile, KADDB signed a $2 million deal with Brunei military, whereby the Jordan Light Vehicle Manufacturing, also affiliated with KADDB, will provide the Brunei military with military vehicles.

At SOFEX, which concludes on Thursday, a wide-ranging, state-of-the-art defence, security and anti-terrorism arms, as well as military vehicles and aircraft are on display. Exhibitors come from 60 countries, while more than 300 military officials and government representatives from 55 countries are taking part.

Participants at the exhibition said SOFEX provides them with an opportunity to create new partnerships and enable them to display their products to an array of top military officers.

"This is not the first time for us to take part in SOFEX, we have been participating since SOFEX was first held. It is a great success and a good opportunity for us to meet with decision makers and build new partnerships…We also signed an agreement today," Executive Director of International Marketing and Sales at AM General Company Bruce W. Wisler told The Jordan Times yesterday.

Specialised in mobility solutions, AM General, which is headquartered in Indiana, US, also provides spare parts, field service and training support for all its products, in addition to logistic and technical support for a variety of military systems in addition to the HUMVEE.

"The exhibition provides us with a great chance to receive exposure and display our products for the Middle East and the Arab Gulf in particular," said Jean-Paul Deguines, a representative from Escape International, a French company specialised in rescue and people recovery.

On the sidelines of the event, King Abdullah received Sheikh Mohammad Ben Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces. The King also received several chairmen of joint chiefs-of-staff from participating countries. During the meetings, King Abdullah discussed with the top officers cooperation in defence and military fields and exchange of expertise.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Nader Dahabi also discussed bilateral ties with senior delegates, according to Petra.