20 July, 2006

SHEIKH AHMED SUPPORTS DAE’S HIGH PROFILE PRESENCE AT WORLD’S BIGGEST AIRSHOW

The emergence of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) on the global aerospace map received the encouragement and support of its Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, during a two-day visit to the Farnborough International Airshow, in the UK, this week.

Sheikh Ahmed, who is also President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, joined members of the DAE management team for a series of high-level discussions with senior executives from across the industry.

Leading the DAE team were its newly appointed CEO Bob Johnson, Managing Director, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni and DAE’s Project Director, Rashid Al Malik.

Dr Al Zarouni said: “We are extremely grateful to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed, for playing such a significant role in our discussions at such an important event for DAE. There is no better opportunity for DAE, than at the world’s biggest airshow at Farnborough, to cement its emerging presence in this industry. Through our high profile presence, our meeting programme and our sponsorships, we have made a great impact on this event and made tremendous progress in developing business opportunities for DAE across the globe.”

DAE was only launched this February. Under the leadership of Dr Al Zarouni and Mr Al Malik, and the support of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed and other leaders in Dubai, the company has been working behind the scenes to develop relationships with key businesses across the industry. It has also been recruiting top industry executives for its leadership team, highlighted by the arrival of Bob Johnson, formerly Chairman and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace, to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Al Malik added: “The presence of both His Highness Sheikh Ahmed and Bob Johnson has not only helped us to further the profile of DAE within this industry but also opened new opportunities for DAE that we will be considering over the next few months. Farnborough is held every two years and is the major showcase for every major aerospace company. DAE is now sitting alongside the best in the world and we have used this opportunity to progress discussions with potential business partners who could play a key role in the emergence of DAE as a leader in the global aerospace industry.” DAE has underlined its presence at Farnborough by sponsoring two key initiatives at this year’s event – the newly introduced International Youth Day and the daily Airshow flying display.

On each day of the show, as a prelude to the spectacular three-hour flying display by the most advanced commercial and military aircraft, a light aircraft carrying the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise logo has been flown for across the show site for all to see.

DAE University has also used the largest aerospace exhibition in the world to connect with potential aerospace students through its sponsorship of the first ever International Youth Day. It will provide a programme of events on the final trade day of the show, tomorrow (Friday), for a specially selected audience of up to 1,250 young people, between the ages of 15 – 23.

All are studying aerospace and engineering related courses. The day is part of a drive to open the minds of young people entering the workforce to the superb opportunities available in the worlds of aerospace, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The young people have been invited to attend the International Youth Day as a reward for achievement by their school, college or sponsoring company.

DAE University opens its doors this October and hopes to attract students from across Dubai, the UAE, from other GCC countries and from countries further afield, around the world.

“DAE University is a major initiative by DAE and will be one of the world’s leading training facilities for future generations. It is important to be involved in an event like this, which brings together tomorrow’s aerospace leaders and will therefore be a perfect launch pad for our plans,” said Al Malik.

DAE will be participating in a number of events at International Youth Day including its ‘Fresher’s Fair’ where aspiring postgraduate students can learn about the range of courses on offer at DAE University.

A select group of students will also be hosted by DAE for lunch at its chalet at the airshow, where they will hear from senior executives about both DAE University and the company’s graduate recruitment programme, which is due to commence later this year.