Lebanese Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel: the show is of high significance as it is closely related to security.
Mr. Riad Kahwaji: return of most companies to SMES 2011 and participation of new local and foreign companies
His Excellency, Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Charbel, launched today the 2nd Edition of the Security Middle East Show – SMES 2011, accompanied by Mr. Riad Kahwaji, CEO of the show organizer, the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis – INEGMA.
The show and its conference will be held on 28 to 30 November in Biel, Beirut under the Patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and the participation of more than 100 security companies from united Arab Emirates, Jordan, The United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, Russia and China.
The conference was attended by LAF Commander Jean Kahwaji represented by Staff Brigadier General Hameed Iskandar, Director General of Internal Security General Ashraf Rifi, Brigadier-General Abbas Ibrahim Director General of the General Security,Brigadier-General Raymond Khattar Director General of Civil Defense, Shafeeq Merhi Deputy Director General of Customs, as well as Mr. Mahmoud Al Joweidi BIEL Group chairman, Inegma’s Strategic Researcher Brigadier Gen Naji Malaeb and INEGMA’s Exhibition Manager Rawad Sleem in addition to the president of Security Companies in Lebanon Sami Zod.
His Excellency Minister Marwan Charbel
“The 2nd Edition of the Security Middle East Show – SMES 2011 will be launched under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister Najib Mikati; after his Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic Mr. Michel Sleiman patronized the 1st Edition in 2009. So this conference could benefit from both patronage, regarding its significance and positive values for exchanging expertise and getting updated with the latest technologies in the security and military fields” said His Excellency, Minister Marwan Charbel in opening the press conference.
Charbel considered that holding the SMES show for the second time in Lebanon reinstate the country’s prestigious role in this sector in the region. He mentioned that this exhibition derives its security features from new technologies devised to provide protection, and contribute to limiting crimes and terrorists attacks, being also critical to preserve stability and country development.
“The sophisticated equipments to be featured in SMES 2011 will allow security forces to adopt a scientific approach, with the ability to link security and Human rights” said Charbel “The subjects of the show encompass national security, border security, Installations Security and combating terrorism. These are extremely important in view of the nature of the risks surrounding Lebanon, causing us to pay highly in the fight against terrorism.”
“As stated in the Ministerial Statement, the government pledges to provide security institutions needs, through an equipping plan that aims to achieve security stability, as well as fighting terrorism, crime and vandalism” said Charbel
His Excellency praised the Institute for the Near East and Gulf Military Analysis – INEGMA and acknowledged the security and defense companies that open the way to scientific progress. He also lauded the LAF Command and ISF Directorate support for their competent participation in the SMES Exhibition and Conference.
Mr. Riad Kahwaji
Mr. Riad Kahwaji offered thanks to Prime Minister Mikati for patronizing SMES 2011 Exhibition and Conference; he also thanked all of LAF Command and ISF Directorate for their Support.
“The exhibition updates all companies, banks, hotels and factories of the private sector about security solutions to protect their facilities from threats” said kahwaji stressing that “the SMES exhibition is for Military and Security Institutions as well, with no political implications whatsoever.”
Kahwaji confirmed that “most of the companies that contributed to the event first time in 2009, will be present this year, along with new companies. He particularly mentioned the Lebanese Security Companies syndicate, represented by their president Captain Sami Zod and the Russian Companies represented by Rosoboronexport.
“We are looking forward to watch the Mobile Forces and the ISF Leopards demonstration, the same way as in SMES 2009; because the Lebanese military and security Institutions will have their pavilions to show Lebanese citizens the degree of readiness the government offers to preserve security and protection.” Said Kahwaji
Kahwaji expressed his expectations to see significant local industry security products exhibited this year in the show, to surprise observers with the Lebanese skills and industrial capabilities.
“During the conference that precedes the launch of the SMES exhibition, a group of officials and security leaders will address subjects related to dangers for social living and ways to face them.” Said Kahwaji
SMES 2009
The first edition of SMES covered everything pertaining to Internal Security, Border and installations Security and fighting Terrorism. It was held under the patronage of the Lebanese President Gen. Michel Sleiman, in 20 – 22 April 2009, at Biel, Beirut. It was supported by LAF Command and the ISF Directorate General. SMES 2009 attracted 55 exhibitors, representing 85 defense and security companies from 15 Nations.
The SMES exhibition puts Lebanon once again on the international security exhibitions scene in the MENA Region, after it attracted more than 9000 visitors. It was honored by the participation of leading international companies like Thales – France, Lockheed Martin – U.S.A., Falcon – Egypt, Finmeccanica, Beretta and SELEX from Italy and KADDB – from Jordan, as well as others .
The Conference and Exhibition was covered by more than 64 media outlet, including famous ones like CNN, Al Jezeera, Al Arabia, The BBC, Reuters, in addition to a majority of Arab and Local Medias.
The Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) INEGMA is based in Dubai Media City, and Beirut, Lebanon. Established in 2001, INEGMA is the official organizer of the most renowned defense and security conferences in the region; the Gulf Defense Conference, the official conference of the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi; the Dubai International Air Chiefs’ conference, the official event of the Dubai Air Show; the official conference of the Special Operation Forces Exhibition in Jordan; the Middle East Missile and Defense conference in Abu Dhabi; and the Border Control, Airport and Seaport Security conference in the UAE. INEGMA also organizes the Security Middle East Show in Beirut, Lebanon. INEGMA also publishes special reports and papers pertaining to national security and defense. INEGMA’s President is General (Ret.) Khaled Abdullah Al Bu-Ainnan, Former Commander, UAE Air Force and Air Defense.
