Iraq Defence Summit offers outstanding commercial opportunities

The summit, which will take place in Dubai on 16-17 February 2008, will welcome the official Iraqi ministerial delegation, to be led by H.E. Abdul Qadir Obeidi, Minister of Defence and H.E. Shirwan Al-Waili, Minister of National Security Affairs, both of whom have confirmed their participation with their respective ministry delegations.

Welcoming strong support from the Iraqi Ministries of Defence, Interior, National Security Affairs, Communications and Science & Technology - along with their counterparts from the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) - the purpose of the summit is to provide the opportunity for officials to meet with the international business community and discuss the practical, commercial and technical solutions required to aid the defence, security and ICT sectors.

The IDSC Summit will focus heavily on Iraq's various security and defence requirements, including the Iraqi police service, defence and security equipment procurement, civil defence, border enforcement, fire service and facilities protection and the role of private security companies. Solutions from the telecommunications and technology sectors will also be discussed.

The Iraq Development Program has built its reputation through the implementation of a successful format whereby half of the summit time is devoted to speeches and presentations and the other half devoted to one-to-one meetings. Each Minister will speak during the opening ceremony on 16 February, providing the assembled audience with an overview of their respective Ministry's strategy and requirements.

In addition, the attending Deputies and Director Generals will provide specific technical information and details of available contract opportunities. Meanwhile, the afternoons on both days of the summit (16-17 February) will see private roundtables set up for each Ministry, as well as the attending authorities representing the US Government.

Prior to the summit, confirmed sponsors and delegates will have the opportunity to schedule their preferred meetings with the respective officials to ensure their time at the summit is fully maximised.

A number of the pre-eminent operators in the defence, security, technology and telecommunications market have already confirmed their participation at the summit.

A limited number of delegate passes are available for this summit, while there are also potential sponsorship opportunities available for suitable organisations.