Event Introduction

The second edition of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, from February 4 to 8, 2024. With an exhibition area exceeding 800,000 square meters, the event attracted 773 exhibitors from 76 countries and 441 official delegations from 116 countries, totaling 106,000 visitors. Throughout the exhibition period, a total of 61 procurement contracts were signed, valued at a staggering US$6.9 billion.

As one of the partners of the defense exhibition, the EU Center secured a prime double-opening booth for Wuxi enterprises in the main aisle. Wuxi Red Flag Shipyard, Wuxi Fulst Precision Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Tongliu Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., FiconTEC Rapid Technologies Co., Ltd., Wuxi Hongrui Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., and Jiangyin Gaosheng Metal Products Co., Ltd. showcased their materials and products, including defense textiles, missile tail components, and tracked self-propelled pontoon bridge models, attracting the interest and attention of exhibitors from various countries and the Saudi Military Industries Corporation. The EU Center team focused on promoting the "465" industrial landscape of Wuxi, the "6+2+X" modern industrial system of Wuxi High-tech Zone, and the high-end equipment manufacturing sector of Wuxi Aerospace Industrial Park.

During the exhibition, the EU Center team and business leaders conducted over 40 matching and negotiation sessions with more than 100 enterprises and organizations from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Germany, Spain, France, Turkey, Italy, and other countries. They engaged in in-depth exchanges in various fields such as aerospace, precision manufacturing, optical components, engineering manufacturing, logistics and transportation, information technology, new materials, artificial intelligence, education and training, and international trade.

Mr. Zhao from Wuxi Red Flag Shipyard expressed his gratitude to the EU Center for organizing the trip to Saudi Arabia, which allowed the company to showcase its achievements on this international platform and helped the company expand its industrial scale and upgrade its technology. Mr. Yan from Wuxi Fulst Precision Technology Co., Ltd. said that participating in the Saudi Defense Exhibition was fruitful, especially the negotiation sessions where he had in-depth exchanges with peers and partners to explore cooperation in aerospace component manufacturing.

In 2024, the EU Center will continue to lead enterprises to participate in key international exhibitions and exchange activities, assisting more Wuxi enterprises with the willingness and ability to explore international markets to go global, thereby enhancing the reputation of Wuxi enterprises and the value of Wuxi's city brand.