KARACHI: 88 delegations from 47 countries are participating in the 8th biennial International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2014) at the Karachi Expo Centre on Monday (today).
In a sign of growing ties between Islamabad and Moscow, Russia will make its first appearance in the four-day exhibition which is expected to attract senior officials from different countries, exhibitors and local and foreign visitors.
An important aspect of the IDEAS 2014 will be an international defence seminar to be held on Monday evening. Several high-level meetings between foreign delegates, key government officials, and participants of the exhibition have been planned on the sidelines of the exhibition for forging alliances in defence production.
The Director Media, Defence Export Promotion Organisation (Depo), Ministry of Defence Production, Commodore Tahir Javed, briefed journalists about the exhibition on Saturday.
“We have received overwhelming response from exhibitors and delegations from across the globe as out of 88 delegations around 47 are headed either by defence ministers, joint chiefs, services chiefs or defence secretaries of their countries. In addition to this, 333 firms will exhibit their products of which 256 are foreign and 77 Pakistani,” Commodore Javed said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Defence Production in his message said, “It gives me immense pleasure to witness yet another splendid edition of IDEAS-2014, the region’s leading exhibition and seminar. I am grateful to the delegates, exhibitors and trade visitors, from all over the world, for their presence at this auspicious occasion. I hope that their stay in Pakistan would be professionally rewarding.
“IDEAS-2014 is 8th in the series of defence exhibitions held biennially in Pakistan. I would like to appreciate the relentless efforts and hard work of all the Federal and Provincial agencies, involved in conducting IDEAS, particularly DEPO for co-ordinating and executing this major undertaking. I would also like to commend the efforts put in by Badar Expo Solutions with earnest devotion and zeal in managing this event.
“Pakistan’s defence industry is not only producing modern weapons and their platforms, but also has a tremendous capacity of manufacturing components of major defence systems. Throughout the years, it has continued to expand its capacity, improve its facilities and upgrade its technology. It is not only in a position to meet most of the requirements of its Armed Forces, but also of its friendly business partners all around the globe. IDEAS provides a great opportunity to the developed world to enter into joint ventures and other collaborative arrangements with Pakistan’s defence industry. This will not only prove to be mutually rewarding, but would also enhance strong bonds of trust and communication amongst friendly countries.
“I feel proud by seeing the international recognition, which IDEAS has achieved. I sincerely hope that this platform continues to serve as a gateway of opportunities to its participants and wish them a very pleasant, comfortable and a memorable stay in Pakistan.”
