Canada is chasing C$3.5 billion (Dh10.21bn) worth of defence deals from the Middle East this year as western defence budgets are slashed.
The country was determined to make an impact at Idex by splashing C$2.5 million on its pavilion at the show, where 53 Canadian companies are displaying their products – up from 42 at Idex 2013.
“We still see the GCC as one of the primary regions in the world for military procurement,” said Martin Zablocki, the president and chief executive of Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).
“In the current economic environment, they are spending more money than many other regions.”
Regional governments are spending heavily on arms purchases as the rise of groups such as ISIL, Boko Haram and Al Shabab across the Middle East and Africa encourages investment in the industry.
“For us in Canada, we serviced the US for many years – and this is an area where definitely their budgets are going down.
“So with the dynamic and with the money being spent in the Middle East, it’s a strategic region for Canada in many fronts,” said Mr Zablocki.
Last year Canada’s General Dynamics Land Systems signed a US$10bn deal with Saudi Arabia to provide armoured vehicles.
“The big Saudi deal has brought a lot of momentum for the purchases from Canada,” said Mr Zablocki.
The CCC – which acts as performance guarantor between Canadian companies and governments – will meet Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and its defence arm Tawazun this week.
It will be promoting its light army vehicles and simulators.
Canada already trains Saudi pilots and is seeking more military training in the region.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
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