LIMA PAVES WAY FOR M'SIA TO BE DEFENCE PRODUCT EXPORTER

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Organising the Langkawi
International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition since it began in 1991,
has paved the way for Malaysia to be an important defence and security product
exporter in the future.

Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said organising of the
biennial event was also in line with the government's aim of inculcating
interest in the industry among the young, especially school students.

He said early exposure for school students who watched LIMA could help spur
their interest to be involved in the defence industry after they leave school.

"With the positive developments, Malaysia is capable of being a defence
product exporter and not just a user," added Ahmad Zahid during his visit to
LIMA at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) Friday.

LIMA this time which began on Tuesday and will end on Saturday, is
participated by 325 companies from 25 countries including Australia, Belarus,
Denmark, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and the
United States.



Ahmad Zahid said one of the positive developments was that Malaysian
companies took up 37 per cent of the exbibition space at MIEC, indicating
increasing local interest in the industry.

The exhibition at MIEC involving the aerospace industry will be opened to
the public tomorrow with an entrance fee of RM10 per person, while the maritime
exhibition at Awana Porto Malai opened since Dec 1.

-- BERNAMA