A partnership between Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ABIMDE ensures Brazilian presence at event in Colombia
Brazil is the guest of honor at the XI edition of the International Aeronautics and Space Fair – F-AIR Colombia 2023, which will be held between 12 and 16 July, at the facilities of the Jose María Córdova – Rionegro Airport, in the department of Antioquia, Colombia.
Organized by the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics and the Colombian Air Force, the objective of the event is to promote the development of the sector’s industry and create a space for dialogue between providers and representatives of civil aviation, defense, public and private companies.
Brazil’s participation was made possible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the Brazilian Association of Defense and Security Materials Industries (ABIMDE). ABIMDE’s project director, Colonel Antonio Ribeiro is in charge of the organization and is also responsible for the design of the stand, which will bring together eight member companies: Advanced Technologies, Omnisys, IACIT, EDASIM, Avionics, AKAER, ALLTEC and VIAVI. Embraer will also be present at the Brazil Pavilion, with its own stand.
The Brazilian space will cover 208 m². In addition to the exhibition modules of the eight members and Embraer’s space, the area will house a meeting room, where the various business rounds already scheduled will be held, and an LED screen with sound system to present the companies’ products. “The idea is to present our capabilities in the aerospace sector and seek business opportunities,” said Colonel Antonio Ribeiro.
BRAZIL PAVILION
The opening of the fair is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of July 12, and will be attended by Colombian civil and military authorities, as well as guests from friendly nations. After the ceremony, the Esquadrilha da Fumaça will give a presentation and the aircraft parked outside can be visited by the guests.
On the first day of the fair (13), a ceremony will be held to inaugurate the Brazilian stand. The Colombian Ambassador to Brazil, Guillermo Rivera, the Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the Secretary of Defense Products, Major General Rui Chagas Mesquita, among other authorities, are expected to attend.
On the same day, there will be a presentation of the Colombian Aerospace Cluster Corporation (CAESCOL) for Brazilian companies at the Brazil Pavilion, followed by a fraternization between the Brazilian delegation and Colombian businessmen to strengthen commercial ties and cooperation between the two countries.
According to Colonel Antonio Ribeiro, Brazil has positive expectations for the sector. “Through a digital platform made available on the event website, meetings are already being scheduled between government and private entities. In addition, the high demand for meeting room times at the Brazil Pavilion is a harbinger of good business opportunities for our companies,” he said.
F-AIR PROGRAM
In parallel, the program includes a series of lectures that make up the Academic Agenda of the event, with diverse topics such as, for example, the aerospace, defense and drones.
F-Drone will bring together national and international stakeholders in the unmanned aviation category. Commercial exhibitions will be held in a dedicated area for demonstrating equipment.
The highlight of F-AIR will be the air shows from Brazil, the United States and Colombia. The Brazilian Air Force will be represented by its newest acquisition, the Embraer KC-390 freighter, and by the Embraer A-29 – Super Tucano aircraft of the Esquadrilha da Fumaça, whose mission is to perform aerial demonstrations reinforcing the institutional mission of the FAB.