ABU DHABI, 31st October, 2016 (WAM) — The National Defence Contractors Council (NDCC) has discussed key issues on the agenda during its fourth meeting held under the chairmanship of Saif Mohammed Al Hajri, Chief Executive of Tawazun Economic Council, in Abu Dhabi today.
The meeting, which was organised by the NDCC’s administrative committee, was attended by representatives from government agencies and member companies.
The council is always keen on organising such meetings and ensuring full participation of all its members as this would benefit all relevant parties in achieving the objectives of the council, including building a diversified and knowledge-based economy, Saif Mohammed Al Hajri said as he opened the meeting.
“NDCC also seeks to liaise and facilitate joint projects by national defence contractors and international partners that would contribute in expanding defence manufacturing sector. The council membership has grown significantly during the past two years to 37 private contractors,” he added.
The meeting also saw a presentation by Brigadier General Pilot Ali Mohammed Musleh Al Ahbabi, on the latest legislations related to the defence industry in the UAE.
Rashed Hilal Al Darmaki, member of the NDCC administrative committee made a presentation, in which he detailed the progress of the projects and initiatives for the year 2016-2017.
High on the meeting’s agenda was a presentation by Adel Mohammed Al Ma’amari, CEO of Siham Al Khaleej Technology, on the role of the council in facilitating the company’s investments, in addition to a presentation on the role of the Department of Economic Development, DED, in attracting foreign investments that was given by Dr. Adeeb Mahmud Alafeefi, the company’s Director, Foreign Trade and Export Support.
The DED is responsible for proposing the economic and commercial policy of Abu Dhabi Emirate and preparing the plans and programmes required for implementing this policy. It mainly provides commercial licencing and trade name registration and conducts necessary studies to encourage and promote the private sector.
This was followed by a panel discussion on means to develop defence manufacturing sectors in the UAE, and to boost exports.