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The South African Secretary for Defence, Dr Sam Gulube together with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) are leading a South African Defence Industry delegation consisting of eighteen companies to the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
 
IDEX is the largest defence exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence. IDEX is important for the South African Defence Industry to showcase its vast defence capabilities to the MENA region.
 
According to the Marketing and Research Manager at the South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD), Ms Michelle Nxumalo, South Africa is perceived as one of the leading suppliers and exporters of defence and security equipment in Africa able to reach influencers and buyers from various regions.
 
“Our national pavilion affords more visibility for the individual South African companies present here, from state-owned, as well as small, medium and micro enterprises and large companies. This helps them to achieve an international exposure and more prominence within the event to ensure the necessary exposure to the global marketplace and best practice standards in the defence arena,” said Nxumalo.
 
Nxumalo added that the South African defence industry has excelled in developing innovative artillery systems from unmanned systems, aircraft, missiles and guided weapons, shipbuilding capabilities and naval craft, to combat suites, radar systems, avionics, aero-engines, sensors and nano-technology.
 
“In addition, the defence industry supports capabilities, upgrades and life-extensions, logistics, quality and configuration management, war-gaming and simulation are second to none,” she said.
 
The eighteen companies that are exhibiting at IDEX have received financial support from the dti through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme to participate at the show. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country. The scheme also seeks to deepen market access to the exhibiting South African companies. The five-day exhibition that started on 17 February 2019, will conclude tomorrow.

Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry