Doha to host 3rd International Maritime Defence Exhibition

The third edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX) 2012, starting here at Qatar National Convention Centre on March 26, gains significance with new naval ship and related equipment spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) forecast to hover around US $49 Billion over the next two decades.  According to a report issued by Washington-based AMI International (AMI) Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco are projected to be the leading naval spenders in the MENA region over the next 20 years, modernizing their sea services at a sustained rate and acquiring a broad range of ships and systems.  Taken together these 'top six' make up about 73% of the region's total forecasted naval market by volume (number of new hulls acquired) and about 76% by market value of new ship and system programmes.  Twenty-one active ship construction programmes highlight the importance of larger surface combatant procurements in the region - specifically corvettes and frigates.  At the same time, 59% of the total 'new build' spend in the region will remain focused on smaller patrol craft, amphibious ships, mine countermeasures vessels, and support ships.  Submarine procurements in the MENA market are gaining renewed importance. In 2008, the region was projected to spend over US$3.2 billion on new submarine acquisitions. AMI estimates this figure will grow 42% to US$7.8 billion over the next 20-years.  The current pace of new MENA naval programme highlights the region's position as a growth market in contrast to declining naval procurement budgets in other parts of the world.  With MENA's ongoing significant investments in new construction ships and related systems, AMI expects this year s DIMDEX attendance to reach record, as the region's largest specialized maritime defense exhibition.  Since the first biannual DIMDEX in 2008, the event has grown to become one of the leading naval conference brands worldwide and is the best single venue for gaining insight into the region s unique maritime security requirements and business opportunities.  DIMDEX 2012 will be hosted by Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and jointly organised by Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) and Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), and supported Qatar Armed Forces.  As the official international marketing and media partner with event organizer QMDI (Qatar MICE Development Institute), AMI will be on-site providing comments at pre-show press briefings, expert market commentary, support for media engagement, and extensive marketing support before and during the event.  AMI is based in Bremerton, Washington USA with Advisory Services led out of the Washington DC area. A leading provider of focused market analysis and consulting for naval, maritime security, and unmanned systems markets around the world, AMI tracks naval business opportunities across 70 countries that consistently invest in naval and maritime security capabilities.