As tensions between Iran and the lower Gulf of Arab states raise security concerns, major defense and telecommunications manufacturers from the Western hemisphere and Europe are pitching for new sales prospects in the region, analysts said Thursday.
The clearest indication of the concerted sales pitch comes in the impressive lineup of firms that have invested funds as sponsors of a forthcoming Aviation Summit in Doha, Qatar, from October 25-27.
The Qatari organizers said that main sponsors of the event include: Bechtel, Raytheon, Selex sistem integrati, Adcc, Vaisala, SmartDesign group, ThyssenKrupp, Sagem, Analogic, Actron, Zeag, Woehr, Ssp, Intermec, Anel group, Panasonic, Voltas, Hobart, Livewell, Icx, Simcore, Ayla and ACV. Additional sponsors are expected to join the lineup.
U.S. administration pronouncements in support of a security buildup to shield the Arab Gulf states against Iran have rekindled military suppliers' interest in the region. Although most Gulf oil-producing countries are suffering the effects of lower prices and asset loss in the financial deleveraging crisis last year, these states still have reserves to dip into for defense buildup, analysts said.
The Arab states in the Gulf include, besides Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. It was not immediately clear if Iraq would attend.
An organizers' statement described the summit as "Davos of aviation," in a reference to international parleys organized by the Swiss organization.
Abdul Aziz Al Noami, chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, chief patron of the summit, said the conference will discuss current challenges and determine the future strategy of the industry.
"Our industry faces challenging times. Tough decisions must be made and strong leadership is essential," he said. "We look forward to welcoming the key aviation leaders to this summit in Doha."
Robin Titus, project director for the event, said, "Doha Aviation Summit will identify, address and tackle the hurdles facing the industry." He said the event will provide a roadmap for "maneuvering through the complexities of the industry." Aviation security is expected to be top of the agenda at the summit.
Western defense and technology industries represented in the summit, for their part, expect the meetings to result in major new orders to ease the negative effects of the economic downturn, analysts said.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
