LIMA 2011, Platform For Local Companies To Display Products For Overseas Market

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) serves as the best platform for the local defence industry to show off their technological capability, and products and services for the regional and international markets. Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said strong and highly capable local defence industry players could attract prospective buyers and users visiting LIMA to have a closer look and evaluate the products and services on show. "Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) might not be able to participate in international exhibitions overseas as this could be costly, so LIMA is the best alternative for them. "I am very proud of the local defence industry's participation in LIMA. If before, only a few companies participated, this time we see their big number together with the global players," he said through e-mail to Bernama. LIMA 2011, to be held on the mythical resort island of Langkawi from Dec 6 to 10, will see the participation of 178 exhibitors from Malaysia and 220 from foreign countries. Among the local participants are National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI), Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC), Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), Heitech Padu Berhad, Sapura Secured Technologies, Zetro Aerospace Corporation, Ikramatic, Satang Jaya and MAS Engineering. Ahmad Zahid said 85 per cent of the exhibition space at Dewan Mahsuri had already been booked for this edition of LIMA. "We had signed the participation of 386 companies from 33 countries, and in the last few months, we worked at ensuring the exhibition space would be fully taken up, to make LIMA 2011 the best edition ever," he said. Meanwhile, media officer at the Defence Ministry's Corporate Communications Unit, Major Marina Harun said among the well-known makers of aircraft and ships which had confirmed their participation were Airbus, Boeing, Dassault, Gulfstream, Embraer, SAAB, Sukhoi, Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, Sikorsky, Bell Helicopters, Fincantieri, Daewoo Shipbuilding, Navantia, Damen Shipyards, Blohm and Voss, Lurssen, Goa Shipyard and DCNS. She said 42 aircraft and 30 vessels had so far been confirmed for participation and among the highlights would be the aerobatic and static shows involving the Gulfstream G45 Business Jet, Bombardier, Cessnan Caravan, A400M, Su 30MKM, F/A-18D, F-18 Super Hornet, MiG-29N, Super Lynx, AugustaA109 Mi 17 S & R helicopter, Eurofighter Typhoon and AH6i Boeing. The aerospace exhibition will be open to the public on Dec 9 and 10 at the Langkawi International Airport, Padang Matsirat, and the maritime exhibition at Awana Porto Malai, Kuah. Padang Matsirat is a town situated on the western part of the Langkawi island, while Kuah is a town and district capital of Langkawi, Kedah, and is the entry point for those coming by ferry from either the mainland or Penang Island -- BERNAMA Malaysia