UMEX, SimTEX promote UAE innovation strategy: Al Bowardi

ABU DHABI, Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, has said that the specialist exhibitions hosted by the UAE, especially those related to advanced technologies, such as the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference, UMEX, 2018, and the Simulation and Training Exhibition, SimTEX, 2018, have helped to promote the UAE’s strategy of innovation, to accelerate its adoption of artificial intelligence and to achieve sustainable development.

Both exhibitions are also helping to shape a bright future for the country, as per the goals of the wise leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he added.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Al Bowardi stressed that UMEX and SimTEX, which are held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, are ideal platforms for joining decision-makers and specialists in this vital sector, to explore the latest specialist international technologies in unmanned systems and simulation and training.

He also highlighted the key role of their exhibitors in promoting co-operation between the armed forces, the industrial sector and government authorities to improve defence training programmes and promote joint discussions on the key areas of training and development.

Both exhibitions reflect the desire of the wise leadership to promote and develop the capacities of the UAE Armed Forces while employing and localising advanced technologies, especially those related to defence systems, as well as training national human resources who are capable of innovating the defence industry, he added.

He also noted the development and growth of UMEX and SimTEX, which are among the fastest growing specialist exhibitions in the world. The total area of both exhibitions grew from 13,000-square metres in 2016 to 17,000-square metres in 2018, a growth of 31 percent. The number of exhibitors also increased in 2018 to 122 international and local companies, compared to 91 companies in 2016, a 34 percent increase while the number of participating countries in 2018 reached 34, compared to 26 in 2016, or an increase of 31 percent.

Source: Emirates News Agency