MALAYSIAN FIRMS CAN ENTER BRITISH DEFENCE MARKET

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies can showcase
their real capabilities in supplying defence equipment by entering the British
defence market which is spending some seven billion pounds a year to replace
outdated and obsolete defence apparatus.

British Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said
UK-Malaysia bilateral relations could be further enhanced withmore business
opportunities in the British defence market.

"We're very open in our procurement policy. We're very keen to buy defence
equipment that have the best commercial deal and price," he told reporters on
the sidelines of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA)
Exhibition 2009 which began here Tuesday.

Before entering the market, the companies need to register at
www.contracts.mod.uk, which has a line-up of all defence capabilities and then
subscribe to the UK Defence Contract Bulletin that will give monthly updates on
tenders they can bid for.

It is understood that only six Malaysian companies have registered their
capabilities so far.

Davies, who is heading the British delegation to the five-day LIMA this
year, lauded Malaysia's approach in fighting open sea piracy especially along
the Straits of Melaka.

"We admire Malaysia's success in dealing with the piracy problem, terrorism
and international crime which we have to face all the time," he said.

To tackle these issues, Davies said expertise and high technology equipment
were needed to support monitoring and surveillance exercises in this region.

"Britain is determined to assist and work with Malaysia on security
management as we have the capabilities and well equipped technologies that can
be used for the purpose.

"The Malaysia-UK relations is one we value greatly and during LIMA, we will
be focusing on how we can work closely together, particularly in the defence and
security areas," said Davies.

He said Britain had a significant range of world-class products across the
defence and security sectors.

Last year, global spending on security was US$198 billion and was expected
to rise further this year as countries worldwide spent on smarter and more
cost-effective homeland security.

Despite the global economic crisis, counter-terrorism continues to be vital
and an important priority for all governments to protect crucial business
sectors that support a country's economy.
-- BERNAMA