BAE Systems has set its sights on creating new partnerships in the Middle East, including the key markets of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), according to the regional managing director Simon Keith.
Speaking ahead of IDEX 2003, to be held in Abu Dhabi next week, Keith said: “Partnering with local companies in the Middle East will bring out the best in both of us. The Middle East is such an important area for BAE Systems,” he explained. “I am a new face with a fresh approach in a company with new and exciting capabilities. Just like the region.”
BAE Systems already has teaming agreements in the Gulf, in addition to the shared experience with its traditional British partners like Rolls Royce in United Arab Emirates (UAE) or VT Aerospace in Kuwait.
Keith also quoted the partnership with VT (former Vosper Thornycroft) in Flagship, a consortium currently training naval personnel from several nations, including Kuwait and the United Kingdom. “There are other partnership links with other world-class companies like Lockheed Martin with whom BAE Systems is teamed for the KC4I program in Kuwait,” he pointed out.
“This project is designed to integrate the resources already in place and those planned to protect the state against future aggression in what is obviously a tense part of the region. Several other GCC nations have important requirements for command and control facilities that through partnership, I am confident that BAE Systems can solve.”
In other parts of the Middle East, BAE Systems has been involved with the Egyptian government's aspirations for several decades and has recently signed agreements in Jordan. “The future holds a great deal of promise for BAE Systems in the Middle East and we look forward to the opportunity,” commented Keith. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
