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Pakistan plans bigger showcase for IDEAS2004 in Sept
ABU DHABI - Pakistan will present a much bigger geo-strategic and defence showcase at the third International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) being held in Karachi from September 13 -18.
The International Defence Seminar on'The changing Global Security Environment', and the formal opening ceremony of the exhibition scheduled on September 13, 2004, will be followed by the four-day exhibition, said Syed Qaiser Hussain, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE.
He said that delegates from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the seminar, while some of the major international participants at the exhibition include companies from Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, UAE, UK, Ukraine and USA.
'The products ranging from light firearms, UAVs, rockets and missiles, electronics and optical equipment, rocket launchers to heavy machinery, APCs & tanks as well as fighter and trainer air crafts will be on display this time exclusively at a much larger space.
The defence manufacturers and decision-makers to be an important meeting place for addressing the core global issues keeping in view the recent developments in the region acknowledge IDEAS2004.
Since introduction of Pakistan's defence industry at IDEAS 2000, the country's defence exports have increased tremendously, and export target for 2003-04 is $147 million, which is expected to further rise to at least $500 million, during the next five years.
IDEAS, which has emerged as the most interactive and networking platform in the region with an international focus, is rated amongst the most established and prestigious International Defence Shows.
About 14,000 defence professionals and qualified trade visitors attended the first exhibition, which rose to 20,000 in second show. Similarly, the number of delegations rose from 42 to 46 and countries from 20 to 30. More than 50 meetings were held between the delegations resulting in signing major defence accords, agreements and MoUs.
Besides the on-going events like Mobility Demonstration of tracked and wheeled vehicles, a massive Live Firing Demonstration is planned to culminate IDEAS2004. Destructive capabilities of air-to-air, air-to-ground, ground-to-air and ground-to-ground weapon systems, static display of Naval fleets, missiles boats and submarine would be the main highlights of this unique power demonstration in which Pakistan-made ammunition will be used.
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