Soft launch of INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION and SEMINAR

3996

“It is indeed a matter of great pleasure to see the IDEAS gaining strength with every passing year, in a short span of eleven years”, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani stated, during Soft Launch ceremony for International Defence Exhibition and Seminar 2012, held at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Islamabad on 30 March 2012.

He further reiterated, “I wish the organizers of this event success in the conduct of IDEAS and look forward to an overwhelming participation from defence industries from inland and abroad”.

Towards the end of his address, the Prime Minister declared the launching of IDEAS 2012, scheduled from 7th to 11th November at Karachi this year. Upon arrival at the venue, he was received by Federal Minister for Defence Mr. Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister of State for Defence Production Sardar Bahadur Ahmed Khan Sihar, Secretary Defence Production and Director General Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO).

DG DEPO in his welcome address informed that about 60% of the available space has already been booked by exhibitors from abroad and inland. He made a special mention about Turkey, China, France, Germany and Italy for booking large size spaces to establish their country pavilions, respectively.

The ceremony was attended by the Federal Ministers, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Federal Secretaries, large number of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Attachés, other senior military and civil officials and elite from the business community. The ceremony was followed by a short, but a very well choreographed cultural show, which reflected rich cultural heritage of Pakistan.

The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) showcases a wide variety of technology, ranging from equipment used in the third world countries to the most sophisticated systems from the West. This exhibition provides a perfect interactive platform for the defence forces to assess the best products and technology to cater for their respective defence-related requirements. Besides, it also presents an ideal opportunity to the manufacturers of Military Weapons System, Vehicles, Defence system etc for entering into collaboration and joint ventures with Pakistan or other prospective international partners.