Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, representing Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, launched the second edition of the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the defense exhibition witnessed the presence of defense ministers and senior officials from friendly nations during its opening ceremony.
Prince Khalid bin Salman, who also serves as the deputy head of GAMI, along with defense ministers and officials, received briefings on the air shows and plane displays at the fair. Subsequently, they conducted an inspection tour of the exhibition pavilions, featuring over 773 exhibitors from more than 75 countries. Participating entities included government agencies, major local and international companies in the defense and security industry, as well as those from sectors related to the military and defense industries.
The World Defense Show underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global defense industry hub. Positioned as a premier exhibition in the defense and security industry, the show reflects the Saudi leadership's dedication to organizing world-class specialized events, affirming the Kingdom's status as a global center for exhibitions across various fields, especially in military industries.
GAMI Governor Eng. Ahmad Al-Ohali expressed gratitude to King Salman and the Crown Prince for their unwavering support, emphasizing its vital role in enhancing the Kingdom's strategic independence and promoting the nationalization of the military industry sector in line with Vision 2030. He highlighted the positive impact of this support, with the localization percentage increasing from four percent to 13.6 percent by the end of 2022. Al-Ohali noted that 477 permits and licenses were issued for 265 companies in the military industry sector, with over 74 investment opportunities launched to localize supply chains.
The defense show serves as a global platform for experts, manufacturers, and decision-makers in the defense and security industry. Al-Ohali emphasized that the second edition builds on the success of the 2022 exhibition, contributing strategically to Saudization goals and providing an ideal environment for communication and interaction among attendees. The sector's anticipated GDP contribution is estimated at approximately SR93.75 billion, creating 40,000 direct job opportunities and 60,000 indirect job opportunities.
