245 firms to participate in Milipol Qatar; expo begins

Peninsula - 14/5/2006

A total of 245 companies from 37 countries are scheduled to take part in Milipol Qatar 2006, the sixth international exhibition of internal security which opens at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre tomorrow.

The three-day exhibition is being organised jointly by the Ministries of Interior of Qatar and France.

Addressing a press conference at the Doha Sheraton yesterday, Colonal Nassir bin Fahad Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Milipol said, the exhibition will feature the latest security equipment from leading international companies.

He noted that there was an increase of 15.5 per cent in participation this year, compared to the last exhibition, which shows that the event, has become increasingly popular among the countries across the globe.

Muriel Kafantaris, marketing manager, Milipol France, Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani, Major Ahmed Abdullah Al Jamal and Major Saud Rashid Al Shafi, all from Milipol Qatar, were also present at the press conference.

Tow seminars on money laundering and combating terrorism will also be held on the sidelines of the exhibition, under the sponsorship of the United Nations and with participation of international speakers. Ministers of Interior from several GCC countries are also expected to attend the exhibition.

Seven new countries are participating the exhibition this year- Ireland, Jordan, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Venezuela. Two countries — Iran and Pakistan — which took part in Milipol Qatar in 2002 have also confirmed their participation this year, said Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani.

The exhibition will take place at a total area of 5,000sqm, an increase of 1,500sqm compared to the previous exhibition. The exhibitors include 32 companies from Qatar, 19 companies from other Gulf countries and 28 companies from France. The participating Asian countries also include China and Singapore.

In reply to question from the media, Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani said no company from Israel has so far submitted a request to participate in the exhibition.