31 Oct Milipol Qatar 2016 opens for business
Milipol Qatar 2016, the leading event dedicated to homeland security in the Middle East, opens its doors today (31 October) for its 11th edition since launching in the Middle East in 1996.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and organized by the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar in partnership with the French-based Comexposium Security, the three day event – 31 October until 2 November – will take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and will be inaugurated by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatar Prime Minister & Minister of Interior.
A press conference was held by Milipol Qatar committee in the General Directorate of Civil Defence on the morning of Sunday 30 October 2016. The Press Conference was attended by Brigadier Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, President of Milipol Qatar Committee, Brigadier Ahmad Abdulla Ahmad Director of Financial Affairs in the Ministry of the Interior and a member Milipol Committee, and Brigadier Saud Rashid Al Shafi, Asst. Director General of the General Directorate of Logistics and member of Milipol Qatar committee and Major Hussain Aman Al Ali, member of Milipol Qatar committee, and Mrs. / Muriel Kafantaris Exhibition Director and Mr. / Michael Weatherseed, Director of the security Department at Comexposium Security, and it was attended by a large number of media representatives of local and International media channels and correspondents of New Agencies.
“We are returning with strength and new features that will not only drive further growth and innovation in the industry, but will encourage collaboration and the sharing of knowledge amongst international peers,” Brigadier Nasser Bin Fahad Al-Thani, President of Milipol Qatar 2016 Committee said.
“As I express my deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of Interior for their patronage of the event, I also wish to thank in advance all the participants and sponsors from Qatar for their all-out support to the event. This year will see the introduction of new seminar sessions, a key focus on civil defence, and a greater international presence with a further eight country representatives taking to the exhibition floor. I look forward to welcoming a greater number of visitors this year and to another successful year of Milipol Qatar,” he added.
“This edition of Milipol Qatar marks 20 years since the exhibition first began driving the agenda for the region’s Homeland Security sector. I am proud to say that it will make the most successful in its history with a number of new additions to the must attend event of its kind,” Muriel Kafantaris, Exhibition Director – Milipol Qatar & Paris, said.
Milipol Qatar 2016 will host more than 230 exhibitors from 35 countries, eight of which are new since 2014 – Algeria, Belize, Cyprus, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Pakistan and Uganda. The Qatar contingent represents a large section of the exhibition floor with 47 companies expected to exhibit, and a further 27 from France, 23 of which will be located within the French pavilion. Other international pavilions also to be present at the show will be China, Germany, North America and the UK. The overall net floor area of built booths is 7700 m².
A new addition this year is a dedicated zone for Civil Defence. The introduction will see 17 global and regional exhibitors showcasing products and developments within the sector. The prime position zone will be complemented by the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar’s stand, which will also be allocating a portion of its own stand to civil defence.
Another first for Milipol Qatar will be the launch of its first Seminar agenda, feature a number of leading industry experts providing key note addresses and panel discussions on topics and recent developments within the sector. Running during the second and third day of the exhibition, the Seminars will be split into three half-day tracks, focusing on areas such as Crisis Management & Resilience, Safe/Smart Cities & Large Events Security Management, and Critical Infrastructure Protection – Cyber Threat Intelligence.
“The addition of these seminars further enhances the value of attending Milipol Qatar and I am proud of the expert line up of panelists and speakers attending this year. We have already received significant feedback on the seminar introduction, with almost two-thirds of registered visitors stating that they are interested in attending them during the exhibition,” Kafantaris noted.
A key part of Milipol Qatar’s success is the quality of products and services showcased during the exhibition. Exhibitors continue to take advantage of the show’s reputation to present their latest innovations and products related to homeland security. This year, 44 new products have been registered, an increase of 50 per cent on 2014.
The show’s Main Official Sponsor is Adbullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co., while the event’s Diamond Sponsors are Qatar Petroleum, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., and Qatar Diar.
The Platinum Sponsor is Qatar Tourism Authority, Silver Sponsors include Rail, Ineo Homeland Security, and Nafco, and the Bronze Sponsor is Nexter. In addition, the event’s Official Carrier is Qatar Airways, its Official Forwarder is Milaha, and its Official Hotel is Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel. Other Official Sponsors include Ooredoo, Hemaya Security and Alhazm.
Milipol Qatar 2016 will run from 10:00am until 6:00pm on 31 October and 1 November, and 10:00am until 5:00pm on 2 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Further information about this year’s edition can be found through the official website, HYPERLINK www.milipolqatar.com