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2024-09-10

SOFEX 2024 to be 30 Per Cent Bigger, More Impactful: CEO

The countdown to Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX) Jordan 2024 has begun, and expectations are soaring. The premier defence exhibition in the Middle East is poised to exceed many previous benchmarks.

Ahmad Al Taweel, CEO of SOFEX, revealed interesting details to Nation Shield about the upcoming event. He shed light on the enhanced facilities, including state-of-the-art live fire and mobility demonstration areas. He also discussed the conference’s theme: “Special Operations Forces, Minimalism, Self-Sustainment, Collaboration, and Adaptability in the modern Battlefield and Grey Zones.”

By: Sakha Pramod

Here are the highlights of the interview:

Over the past quarter century, SOFEX has grown to become one of the most important events of its kind in the defence sector. Can you explain how SOFEX has evolved and succeeded?

This year, as with every edition, we are building on the accomplishments of the previous edition to make SOFEX 2024 as rewarding as the participants expect it to be.

SOFEX 2024 is expected to achieve further success and growth based on the fact that the exhibition space has increased by 30 per cent compared to that of the past edition, with newly built exhibition and convention centre, providing more room for the defence industry to showcase their latest technologies and equipment.

What’s more, the Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Center now boasts world-class facilities and services that include 175,000 sqm of indoor and outdoor exhibition space, eight exhibition halls, private hospitality chalets, purpose-built live fire and mobility demonstration areas and a state-of-the-art media centre.

It will also witness the attendance of the world’s leading defence media, providing the attendees with an opportunity to increase the profile of their company and their innovative technologies.

SOFEX is now giving its visitors full solutions for special operations forces. It stresses highly on the technology engagement, it creates opportunities for local and international delegations between exhibitors and visitors, and it manages match-making opening businesses for exhibitors, and companies participating in the show.

SOFEX attracts major international exhibitors. What are the preparations to facilitate the participation of those exhibitors before and during the event?

We are fortunate that Jordan is the home of SOFEX 2024. Over the years, Jordan has seen major advancements in tourism, services, transportation, infrastructure and human resources, making it easier for the team to organise such a huge event.

The world-class facilities and services that Jordan offers allow SOFEX to cater to the large number of delegates and exhibitors that attend every two years. Every sector works hand in hand in Jordan contributing to the success of the show.

As with every large event, we do face challenges, but through the years, we have learned how to overcome them by implementing efficient and effective cooperation among all parties. The dedicated support that we receive from the Jordan Armed Forces and security department play a tremendous role in helping us limit our challenges.

The team has gained a significant amount of experience throughout the years in organising such an international event that caters to official delegates from all over the world. SOFEX is organised by an experienced and vibrant Jordanian team who work tirelessly to ensure every edition is successful and rewarding.

What are the highlights of SOFEX 2024 compared to its previous editions?

It is the only exhibition and conference of its kind in the MENA region and I am proud of the fact that the number of participants continues to increase week by week, showcasing a diverse range of technology and equipment in the field of Special Operations and homeland security.

At SOFEX 2022, we hosted 98 countries that included military and governmental leaders, decision makers and exhibitors. The 2024 edition will see participation of delegates and exhibitors from all around the world, thus cementing SOFEX’s reputation as the premier event serving the global defence community.

Can you elaborate more on the arrangements of SOFEX this year?

This year, we have planned many side events during SOFEX 2024, like shooting-range events. Visitors will experience fruitful side-talks with exhibitors. They will experience live demos that we have built for vehicles, shooting-ranges, drones, and anti-drones.

We have worked on increasing the participating numbers of the industrial Jordanian companies specialised in the defence industries to create more collaborations between entities and end-users.

Being the CEO of SFOEX, what’s is your own vision and priorities for SOFEX this year? What’s the road-map ahead?

SOFEX today is growing differently as we plan to organise more than one event dedicated to the national security. We are stressing more on the importance of national security, homeland security, cyber security, drones, anti-drones, and artificial intelligence.

What’s the theme of this year’s conference?

The theme of this year’s Middle East Special Operations Commanders conference is entitled “Special Operations Forces, Minimalism, Self-Sustainment, Collaboration, and Adaptability in the modern Battlefield and Grey Zones”.

SOFEX 20204 will kick off with one full day dedicated to a conference that will be attended by Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Armed Forces and Special Operations Commanders from the region and the world.

The conference will provide a platform for dialogue, as well as sharing strategies and experiences, where senior government decision-makers and security analysts will discuss a wide range of issues relevant to global defence, homeland security and Special Operations.

The conference will include interactive sessions to keep participants up to date with latest developments in the defence industry.

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