LANGKAWI: Malaysia has cemented its position as a globally recognised maritime and aerospace destination, thanks to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition 2019.
The biennial event gained good traction from exhibitors and visitors globally, boosted by the presence of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who opened the exhibition on March 26.
Having initiated Lima in 1991, the prime minister witnessed the 15th edition, fully confident it would remain a relevant platform to attract global players.
On the second day, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah graced Lima 2019, toured the exhibition area and watched the airshow from the viewing deck of the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC).
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob also visited the show.
Co-organised by the defence and transport ministries and EN Projects (M) Sdn Bhd, Lima 2019 was an important event for Malaysia to highlight its involvement in the development of the local and regional maritime, aerospace, defence, security and commercial industries.
It comprised 60 per cent of defence and 40 per cent of commercial content, and was supported by the International Trade and Industry Ministry through the National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office, the Malaysian External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said Lima allowed the government to offer a distinct platform for industries to thrive on seminars, business meetings and talks to promote business engagements, while highlighting industry development and trade facilitation.
“We believe that Lima is on the right track to attract more quality investments and develop local supply chains. The outcome will be useful for us to expand our network and prioritise and strategise efforts to further strengthen the industry.”
Mohamad said there were plans to make Lima bigger in 2021 and to include new sectors.
Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor
EN Projects chairman Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said Lima 2019 had taken up over 110,000 sq m of the main exhibition area at MIEC.
“However, we suggest that the event be expanded for Lima 2021. We need to have another hall to attract more exhibitors, making room for a potential space sector.”
With the establishment of Lima, Malaysia was able to master advanced technology and is now capable of producing defence products for export, something Dr Mahathir himself acknowledges.
Anwar said Lima could be enhanced to showcase space technology.
“Generally, I feel Lima has grown by leaps and bounds. (We) should look into having modern, new inventions in space technology. We are optimistic that we can bring in this technology for the next show.”
Lima 2019 saw the participation of 206 local and 200 foreign companies from 32 countries, including Turkey, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and China. It also had record numbers over the three trade days with 42,030 visitors, of whom 17,226 were foreigners.
The exhibition hosted more than 410 defence and commercial delegations, 105 aircraft, 104 warships and maritime assets, and more than 600 journalists from around the world.
Event partners included Telekom Malaysia, Petronas, Affin Bank and Oris which were supportive throughout the show, and the two public days saw 237,000 people thronging the exhibition.
“Lima has been a brand since 1991 and that is the beauty about Lima in Langkawi, as a renowned brand for an exhibition,” said Anwar.
Lima 2019 also featured 15 high-impact conferences and activities in support of the exhibition.
Among the highlights were the Chiefs of Navy Roundtable Talks, the Asean Aviation Summit 2019, the Air Chiefs’ Conference and the National Maritime Conference 2019.
Matrade’s trade missions served as the main platform to promote Malaysian suppliers to global players, while Mida investment programmes continued attracting more aerospace investments to Malaysia.
The government signed RM3.67 billion worth of contracts and RM500 million business-to-business deals.
Anwar said Dr Mahathir was a visionary leader and his being Langkawi member of parliament and prime minister had attracted a lot of exhibitors this year.
Among the top defence and commercial companies are Airbus, ASELSAN, BAE Systems, Boeing, Boustead Heavy Industries Bhd, China Electronics Technology Important and Export Corp, Composites Technology Research Malaysia, Leonardo, Kongsberg and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
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