With less than two weeks to go until the 9^th and largest ever International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2009) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), final preparations are underway to stage one of the Gulf's most important ever exhibitions.

ADNEC has undertaken far-reaching developments, both to the venue and to the surrounding land, since IDEX 2007 and this has enabled all components of IDEX to be held in one single location for the first time ever.

By doubling in size to become the Gulf's largest exhibition, ADNEC has provided the space for all exhibitors to be located under the same roof for the first time ever.  Additionally 8 months of major development on the Marina Zone, including the construction of a 350 metre quay wall and the dredging of the canal to a depth of 6 metres, has created an environment which will allow visiting ships to dock outside the exhibition centre for the naval exhibition, previously these were docked 20km away from ADNEC at Port Mina Zayed.  A brand new pedestiran bridge is also being constructed which will link the IDEX naval exhibition with the Exhibition Centre.

Commenting on the developments, Simon Horgan ADNEC CEO said, "IDEX is one of the most important exhibitions in the UAE, it is an opportunity for Abu Dhabi to shine and ADNEC's commitment to the event is as strong as ever.  We have invested heavily to ensure that this IDEX is a superb event, both in terms of our development of the site, and also through our role as organiser of this year's IDEX in association with the UAE Armed Forces."

ADNEC opened its exhibition facilities in 2007 for IDEX 2007 and has since staged more than 100 events and welcomed more than 2 million people through its doors.