Abu Dhabi conference to address offset's growing role in global trade

The conference, to be held under the auspices of General/ His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Offset Program Bureau (OPB), will feature speakers from around the world, including the UAE, GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Malaysia, the USA, and the UK.

It will be hosted by the OPB and organized by the Global Offset & Counter-trade Association (GOCA) and Defense Manufacturers Association of Great Britain (DMA).

"We are glad to host this important event which will bring together officials and experts from different parts of the world to tackle the growing role of offset in boosting global trade. ADIOC 2009 will also provide an opportunity to examine prospects for resolving the current economic and financial crisis, based on solutions drawn from offset core principles such as economic diversification, FDIs, technology transfer, fair trade and joint cooperation,"

said H.E. Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer of the OPB.

ADIOC 2009 is timed to coincide with the International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2009) held from 22-26 February 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi.

"ADIOC 2009 will concentrate on the Middle East and North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and South Africa. All major offset authorities in the region have been invited, and the program will have the full support of the UAE leadership. The Conference will feature expert offset speakers, from both Governments and Industry, and will be of interest and benefit to companies seeking to do business in the area," commented Saif Ali Al Marzooqi, OPB's Projects Services Manager & Head of the conference's Organizing Committee.

ADIOC 2009 will also see participants joining in break-out sessions to discuss developments in offset and countertrade, new offset regulations, as well as the latest trends in the offset industry.