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Al-Otaibi: Increasing turnout for SOFEX 2026 and the signing of 4 to 5 agreements on its final day

Al-Otaibi: Increasing turnout for SOFEX 2026 and the signing of 4 to 5 agreements on its final day

The spokesperson for the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), Mutaz Al-Otaibi, said on Thursday that the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference "SOFEX 2026" is witnessing, on its third and final day, an increasing influx of visitors and international delegations, and broader participation from entities interested in defense industries and technologies, noting that about 4 to 5 new agreements are expected to be signed during the day through the bureau and its companies.

Al-Otaibi added that the past two days saw the signing of several agreements, while the final day is witnessing a heavy presence of visitors, providing those interested with the opportunity to view the latest technological advancements in various defense fields.

He pointed out that the interactive trial zones, including Virtual Reality (VR), the "Kill House," and the Laser Shooting Range, are seeing remarkable turnout, explaining that the number of participants in the laser shooting and virtual reality trials ranged between 1,500 and 1,800 participants, according to exhibition estimates.

Al-Otaibi indicated that the exhibition attracts university students, researchers, and those interested in the defense technology sector, who are flocking to see the latest technologies and developments in this field, noting the arrival of new international delegations to the exhibition on Wednesday, which reflects the growing interest in the participations and technologies on display.

He explained that "SOFEX" attracts various groups, including manufacturers, interested parties, innovators, and investors, in light of the diversity of participations and technical experiences that allow visitors to learn about developments in defense and security industries.

Regarding the tourism and economic impact of the exhibition, Al-Otaibi said that representatives from the tourism and hotel sector praised the importance of holding "SOFEX" in the city of Aqaba, noting that hotels and restaurants are witnessing notable activity in conjunction with the influx of visitors, delegations, and participants.

He added that hosting specialized exhibitions of this kind contributes to stimulating tourism in Aqaba, as participants and visitors use hotels, visit tourist sites, and benefit from available services, which supports tourism and economic movement in the city.

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