A senior-level delegation from The Boeing Company visited Beirut to attend the 10th round of the annual Arab Capital Markets Conference (ACM). This is the first time that the world’s leading aerospace company is co-sponsoring the event that draws leaders and senior government officials from across the Arab world.
In his address on the opening day of ACM, John B. Craig, Boeing’s Regional Vice President in the Middle East, said: “At Boeing, we are determined to act as a global company, and one of the keys is to work with local industry to the benefit of both Boeing and our international partners.
He added: “Boeing is strongly committed to expanding our presence here, not just through the sale of our products and services, but through partnership arrangements with regional companies and institutions, and looking for ways to partner with the private sector to help the whole area.”
Boeing’s relationship with the Middle East spans more than 60 years. The company has established strategic regional partnerships that include joint venture success stories such as Al Salam Aircraft Company in Saudi Arabia, the MATIS manufacturing joint venture in Morocoo, the Al Thuraya satellite telephony system and the internship and training programme with the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE.
“Dubai is the second fastest-growing airport for passenger traffic in the world and security is a critical element. Airports in Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Qatar and Bahrain are also in the process of expansion and focused on enhanced security systems, an area where Boeing has much to offer,” explained Craig.
Offering another example of a Boeing product that is generating a high level of interest in the Middle East, Craig touched on the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner that will be ideally suited to the needs of Middle East carriers, and is optimistic of receiving orders for the 7E7 from the region in the near future.
“Boeing is very excited about what the future holds – for Boeing as part of the Arab world and for businesses and companies here as partners to Boeing,” concluded Craig. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
