Beirut, 13th of April 2010 - The Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis - INEGMA - held on Tuesday the 13th of April 2010 a press conference at the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF), Beirut, Lebanon to launch the second edition of the Security Middle East Show - SMES - that will take place in Biel Exhibition Center, Beirut, between the 7th and the 9th of April 2011. The press conference was attended by Director General of ISF Major General Ashraf Rifi, Colonel Antoine Bechaalani, representing the Lebanese Armed Forces Command (LAF), INEGMA’s CEO Mr. Riad Kahwaji, and BIEL’s CEO Mr. Mahmoud Joueidy.
Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi
Director General of ISF Major General Ashraf Rifi announced that the preparations to host SMES 2011 started. He praised the first edition of the show that contributed in placing Lebanon as a center for worldwide exhibitions. He noted that SMES will be a catalyst for industrial investments in Lebanon as well as a big push for its tourism. Rifi added that the ISF and the LAF are supporting this show in order to improve their means of defending the country and facing terrorist. Rifi emphasized on the fact that governmental agencies should benefit from the technological progress in order to face crime. Rifi explained that the participation of the ISF in such an event is part of the process of developing and updating the organization. He declared that the ISF will provide all the help necessary to the success of the show.
Riad Kahwaji
Rifi was followed by INEGMA’s CEO Mr Riad Kahwaji said that the success of SMES’ first edition in 2009 encouraged the exhibitors to renew their participation in SMES 2011 before INEGMA even started its marketing campaign. He added that more than 25 percent of the exhibiting space was booked now. Kahwaji was confident that international participation in 2011 will be even more important than in 2009, which will give the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces as well as the international and regional delegations bigger exposure on the most recent defense and security technologies. Kahwaji thanked the LAF and ISF directorate as well as the Lebanese government for their support that made holding such an event in Lebanon possible.
Col. Antoine Bechaalani
Speaking on behalf of the LAF Command, Col. Bechaalani expressed the Command’s appreciation of the efforts made by INEGMA towards the development of the military and security technology in Lebanon, the Middle East and the GCC. He said that LAF’s participation in SMES will be an excellent opportunity to exchange information and expertise which will result in enhancing LAF’s counter-terrorist and counter-espionage’s capabilities. According to Bechaalani, SMES 2009 resulted in purchasing high quality and sophisticated equipments from the exhibitors. He added that the LAF will participate in SMES by having pavilion displaying old weaponry from the LAF museum as well as performing, live maneuvers, like in 2009. LAF’s Directorate of Orientation will also take part in SMES through Al Jaych magazine.
Mahmoud Joueidy
BIEL’s CEO Mr Mahmoud Joueidy said that the biennial SMES is an event with international standards, unique of its kind in Lebanon. He added that the exhibiting companies will be displaying the latest technologies in:
- Security devices and weapons
- Communication, Remote Sensing & Control, and GPS devices
- Army and security vehicles
- Counter terrorism and riots control devices
- Special Operations Forces equipments
Joueidi noted that SMES 2009 attracted a big number of specialized visitors from all over the world, which helps with the revival of the country and the stimulation of its economic cycle.
He also thanked Maj. Gen. Rifi for his unconditional support as well as the concerned ministries and agencies. Joueidi also thanked INEGMA for choosing Lebanon as SMES’ homeland.
SMES 2009
The first edition of SMES took place in April 2009 in Biel, Beirut and was held under the patronage of the Lebanese President Gen. Michel Sleiman. SMES 2009 attracted 55 exhibitors representing 85 defense and security companies, 9000 visitors and was covered by 90 local, regional and international outlets. It was commercially sponsored by Thales – France, Lockheed Martin – USA, Falcon – Egypt, and KADDB – Jordan.
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