ID :
34691
Tue, 12/09/2008 - 18:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/34691
The shortlink copeid
REPRESENTS GATEWAY TO GROWING ASIAN DEFENCE & SECURITY MART
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) expo represents a gateway to the growing Asian defence and security market with the Asean market itself expected to exceed US$350 billion annually up to 2020.
In stating this, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the regional
market was now arguably the world's second largest for defence and security
equipment in the aerospace and maritime sectors.
"If we take into account the greater Asian and Asia Pacific, where China,
India, South Korea, Pakistan and Australia are known to be big spenders, the
figure will multiply tremendously," he said.
New-generation combat aircraft, submarines, surface combatants, helicopters
unmanned aerial vehicles and other strategic assets are high on the priority
list of many Asian nations, including Malaysia, Abdullah said.
"If we segment this further to specific assets, like airborne early warning
systems and their platforms, countries in the Asia Pacific will account for 50
percent of the world's total acquisition," he said at the official launch of
LIMA 2009 here Tuesday.
The event will be held in Langkawi from Dec 1 to 5 next year at the Mahsuri
International Exhibition Centre. Langkawi island is part of the northern state
of Kedah.
Asia's defence market provides many opportunities in medium and long term
for suppliers over the next 15 years as regional governments seek to modernise
their navies, air forces and security agencies, said Abdullah, who is also
Defence Minister.
He said the expo was one of the largest defence and civil showcases in
the
world, regularly attracting the global maritime and aerospace industries to the
island.
LIMA, which was previously co-organised by two separate maritime and
aerospace organisers, will from next year onwards be replaced by a single
organising structure, he added at a press conference.
HW LIMA Sdn Bhd, organiser of the successful maritime segment of LIMA since
1997, is now the overall organiser.
Abdullah, who officially launched LIMA 2009 to mark the beginning of
preparations for the event, also witnessed seven corporations signing deals to
signify their participation as exhibitors.
They were BAE Systems UK, Boustead Naval Shipyard, Eurocopter, National
Aerospace Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sapura group of
companies and Fincantieri Italy.
According to the Prime Minister, Malaysia is well positioned to take
advantage of the growth trend in the industries.
Malaysia's strategic location, competitive costs, skilled and talented
workforce and first-class infrastructure provides an excellent mix for
investment, Abdullah said.
"We have already shown considerable commitment towards developing and
facilitating sustainable partnerships in maintenance, repair and overhaul," he
said.
Malaysia's shipyards are already building vessels for overseas clients,
especially those from the Middle East, Abdullah said, adding that the government
would continue to lay down the foundations.
He cited the recent Subang Skypark private initiative as among the examples
in line with the country's aspiration to build long-term sustainable
partnerships.
"And with a view towards fulfilling growing regional demand and
subsequently, towards serving the global market," he said.
In stating this, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the regional
market was now arguably the world's second largest for defence and security
equipment in the aerospace and maritime sectors.
"If we take into account the greater Asian and Asia Pacific, where China,
India, South Korea, Pakistan and Australia are known to be big spenders, the
figure will multiply tremendously," he said.
New-generation combat aircraft, submarines, surface combatants, helicopters
unmanned aerial vehicles and other strategic assets are high on the priority
list of many Asian nations, including Malaysia, Abdullah said.
"If we segment this further to specific assets, like airborne early warning
systems and their platforms, countries in the Asia Pacific will account for 50
percent of the world's total acquisition," he said at the official launch of
LIMA 2009 here Tuesday.
The event will be held in Langkawi from Dec 1 to 5 next year at the Mahsuri
International Exhibition Centre. Langkawi island is part of the northern state
of Kedah.
Asia's defence market provides many opportunities in medium and long term
for suppliers over the next 15 years as regional governments seek to modernise
their navies, air forces and security agencies, said Abdullah, who is also
Defence Minister.
He said the expo was one of the largest defence and civil showcases in
the
world, regularly attracting the global maritime and aerospace industries to the
island.
LIMA, which was previously co-organised by two separate maritime and
aerospace organisers, will from next year onwards be replaced by a single
organising structure, he added at a press conference.
HW LIMA Sdn Bhd, organiser of the successful maritime segment of LIMA since
1997, is now the overall organiser.
Abdullah, who officially launched LIMA 2009 to mark the beginning of
preparations for the event, also witnessed seven corporations signing deals to
signify their participation as exhibitors.
They were BAE Systems UK, Boustead Naval Shipyard, Eurocopter, National
Aerospace Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sapura group of
companies and Fincantieri Italy.
According to the Prime Minister, Malaysia is well positioned to take
advantage of the growth trend in the industries.
Malaysia's strategic location, competitive costs, skilled and talented
workforce and first-class infrastructure provides an excellent mix for
investment, Abdullah said.
"We have already shown considerable commitment towards developing and
facilitating sustainable partnerships in maintenance, repair and overhaul," he
said.
Malaysia's shipyards are already building vessels for overseas clients,
especially those from the Middle East, Abdullah said, adding that the government
would continue to lay down the foundations.
He cited the recent Subang Skypark private initiative as among the examples
in line with the country's aspiration to build long-term sustainable
partnerships.
"And with a view towards fulfilling growing regional demand and
subsequently, towards serving the global market," he said.
