World Defense Show in Riyadh: 85% of Space Allocated

World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia witnesses broad participation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia witnesses broad participation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

World Defense Show in Riyadh: 85% of Space Allocated

World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia witnesses broad participation (Asharq Al-Awsat)
World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia witnesses broad participation (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The World Defense Show, the global defense and security event to be held in Riyadh, has already allocated 85 percent of its space amid a broad international, global, regional, and local participation of defense and security companies.

Sponsored by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the event is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and will include leading global defense companies such as Embraer, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, NORINCO, and Rolls Royce.

Several government agencies in the Kingdom, such as the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of National Guard, the Ministry of Interior, the Presidency of State Security, and the General Authority for Military Industries, have confirmed their participation.

GAMI Governor Ahmed al-Ohali indicated that the exhibition provides tremendous opportunities for exhibitors and investors to participate in a market that seeks to localize a vital sector, estimated at billions of dollars in one of the largest economies in the world.

Ohali stressed that the Kingdom welcomes those wishing to establish partnerships with local manufacturers and contribute to the localization of the defense and security industries.

For his part, CEO of World Defense Show Shaun Ormrod announced that with over 800 exhibitors, 30,000 visitors, and 85 military delegations, the World Defense Show would open the local and regional defense industry to partnerships and investments from international defense players.

“This will be the first time the global industry has had such open access to all the opportunities with Saudi defense entities, and we are greatly looking forward to providing the world’s best meeting environment for global industry decision-makers.”

Ormrod stressed that the exhibition’s organizing committee is working to provide an ideal environment to organize meetings between decision-makers in the global defense industry and review the manufacturers’ capabilities and priorities.

The World Defense Show is held every two years and focuses on defense interoperability across air, land, sea, security, and space, which will enable the industry to keep pace with developments across defense and technology.

The speed at which these developments occur compels the industry to cooperate across borders and domain expertise to generate opportunities throughout the defense value chain.

The event has laid the foundations for advancing the defense industry and addressing the challenges of ever-deeper defense systems integration by connecting key defense contacts, primes, SMEs, and buyers.



Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
TT
20

Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Donald Trump.

Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president's threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty.

Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 169 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation. Recounts in two closely contested electoral districts saw the party lose a seat in Quebec province but gain another in Ontario.

At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note.

Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was "in politics to do great things, not to be something."

"And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust," he said.

Canada's strained relations with the United States -- historically, its close ally and biggest trading partner -- was among his "immediate priorities," he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues.

Canadians elected him "to stand up to President Trump," he said, adding that he will act "with focus and determination."

"Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations," said Carney.

But he warned also not to expect any "white smoke" from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough.

Carney reiterated his message from the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors "based on steadily increasing integration is over."

"The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future," he said.

Trump "respects strength," he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes including a massive build-up of infrastructure and new housing.

The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois, the third-largest party in Parliament, both called for unity after the elections to fight US levies including on the automotive and steel sectors.

Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain counter-tariffs on American products as long as Washington's measures were in place.

"This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy," Carney said.

To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between Canadian provinces by July 1 to expand the economy, and to strengthen trade with "reliable allies."

"Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects," he said.