LIMA 2019 with It's Founder TUN Dr. MAHATHIR

Organisers push to make this the best Lima yet

By LESLIE ANDRES

March 21, 2017 @ 1:59pm

WITH the 2017 edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition already confirmed as being the biggest in the history of the exhibition, new organisers EN Projects (M) Sdn Bhd can perhaps rest on its laurels.

But the new kid in town, so to speak, is doing no such thing: it‘s not just enough to be the biggest.

EN Projects chief executive officer Shaun Jacobson believes that the work is not done, not by a longshot.

“We are targeting to make this Lima the best ever since its inception in 1991 (and not just the biggest). Ten ministries are working together with other agencies to organise this event, including the Defence Ministry; Tourism and Culture Ministry; Transport Ministry; Home Ministry; Youth and Sports Ministry; Finance Ministry; the Kedah State Government; the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the police.

“But, if you want to compare), during Lima 2015, there were 512 companies from 36 countries that took part as exhibitors. Confirmed space bookings for this year has seen a 40 per cent increase compared to the previous edition in 2015. Russia is currently once again the largest international country exhibitor, followed by France and the United Kingdom,“ he told the New Straits Times.

Asked why the growth in participation despite the current global economic uncertainties, Jacobson said it was because the world recognised the importance of the Southeast Asian region and that Malaysia was in good standing in the region.

“Lima has grown from strength to strength since the first edition in 1991. It has grown into one of the biggest shows in the world. That it continues to grow is a testament to the fact that Southeast Asia is an important region, and Malaysia is well-placed to affect growth in the region.

“The location of the show, in Langkawi, is also an advantage as both aerospace and maritime companies, whether defence-related or civilian, can take part in one show. Considering there are some companies, like BHIC, Alselsan, MBDA, for instance, which have interests in both aerospace and maritime among others, Lima is an advantageous show to be a part of.

“There is no doubt that Lima will continue to grow and will remain a major fixture in the exhibition calendar for years to come.“

Jacobson said the fact that several new countries were taking part in the exhibition was also a sign of the importance of the show, the region and the country.

“There are nine new countries taking part in Lima this year. These first-time exhibitors are bringing innovative, new products to Asian markets from Austria, Brazil, Estonia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Thailand and Ukraine.

“Lima attracts most influential procurement executives from defence and civil sectors, including airlines, shipping, MRO, oil and gas, airport services, port authorities, port operators, port auxiliary services and cruise liners. All participants at Lima stand to gain from the comprehensive civil/commercial and defence delegates programme implemented at the show,“ he said.

Jacobson also stressed the importance of the many side events happening at Lima, including the Asean Aviation Summit and the International Maritime Conference.

He said these events would see major players in the international maritime, aerospace, security and defence industries as well as commercial and civil aviation taking part.

“One of the objectives of Lima is to showcase the latest civil and defence technologies related to maritime and aerospace. It is also a place for local companies to promote their products at international level.

“But, one other objective is equally as important, and that is to be a platform for discussion. So, the aviation summit and maritime conference are an important part of the Lima set-up.“

Asked why the aerospace and maritime exhibition were separated this time around, a throwback to the first few exhibitions, Jacobson said there were several advantages to this.

“The new dedicated maritime segment alongside the on-water display at Resorts World Langkawi offers a capacity of more than 6,000 sq m of indoor and outdoor exhibition areas and is aimed at connecting the key maritime buyers, government agencies and industry leaders at one place.

“It is a platform for vendors and clients to meet and conduct direct discussions related to products available in the market. Having a dedicated maritime segment provides just such an opportunity. Malaysia is, above all, a maritime nation and as such, it is fitting that the maritime segment should have a place all of its own.“

Jacobson said, as new organisers, the company tried to bring in several new things for the show, with the separation of the aerospace exhibitions being one of these.

“Apart from the separation of segments, we have a new UAV/AUV (unmanned aerial vehicles/autonomous underwater vehicles) display segment which will feature such equipment as the US Air Force‘s MQ-1 Predator, US Navy‘s MQ-8 Fire Scout, Thales’ Fulmar mini-UAV, Saab’s Sea Wasp (ROV) and a UAV from Ukraine.

“We also have a new Commercial Pavilion in which the Transport Ministry has taken the lead to bring together the commercial maritime and aviation community. The pavilion will feature first-time companies from federal port authorities, port ooperators, port auxiliary services and cruise liners.“

With Lima 2017 almost done and dusted, is EN Projects looking to the next one in two years‘ time?

Jacobson remained coy on this, saying: “The focus is on this Lima. This show is important and strategic, especially in promoting knowledge and technology exchange and sharing.“

He did, however, have this to say in parting: “We envision Lima as a platform for Asean countries to widen their cooperation network with other nations. Our main wish is to portray to the local and international communities that Malaysia is a maritime country, with the industry being an important contributor to the country’s economy and sovereignty.

“All the activities at this year’s Lima are focused at fostering international relations and cooperation, defence technology, dialogues and interaction at various leadership levels. Indeed, Lima is seen as the best medium to tell Malaysians of the importance of protecting our maritime security.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1109724179157245952

Nostalgic moment as Dr Mahathir opens Lima 2019

Tuesday, 26 Mar 2019

2:02 PM MYT

LANGKAWI (Bernama): Few may have sensed it but a moment of nostalgia prevailed as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad opened the 15th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) here Tuesday (March 26).

The Prime Minister's thoughts went back 28 years to 1991 when he launched the first edition of what has developed into a leading maritime and aerospace exhibition in the Asia Pacific region.

He was not one to camouflage his feelings: “The 15th edition of Lima brings back memories of the momentous 1991 edition when I launched the first blueprint for the development of the aerospace industry in Malaysia.

“It was a bold move for some and baby steps for others. But looking at what we have before us – the development of the aerospace industry today – it was a necessary move to ensure that Malaysia kept up with the catalytic and rapidly growing defence industry,” he said in his speech opening Lima'19.

Today, 16 years later, he has launched Lima again, this time as the seventh prime minister.

Dr Mahathir, who has become synonymous with Lima, beamed with pride seeing that the event still attracts international maritime and aerospace players and businesses from all corners of the globe.

In 1991, up to 172 companies from 20 countries participated in the first Lima.

Today, the 15th edition hosts business delegations from 32 nations and a total of 406 defence and commercial companies, 200 of which are international businesses.

All their products and services will be on display throughout the five days of the exhibition, up to March 30, at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre and Resorts World Langkawi.

Some 42,000 trade visitors are expected to converge at Lima'19, not only to see the latest products and services offered by the exhibitors but also to explore business potential, particularly with Malaysia-based companies.

Lima'19, which comprises 60% defence and 40% commercial content, is jointly organised by EN Projects (M) Sdn Bhd, the Defence Ministry and the Transport Ministry, and carries the theme “Defence and Commercial Connecting Intelligence”.

The Defence Ministry and Transport Ministry are supported by the International Trade and Industry Ministry and its agencies in the organisation of industry seminars, business meetings and talks to promote business engagements and to highlight government initiatives on industry development and trade facilitation. – Bernama

LIMA 2017 News: Malaysia Mulls Naval Upgrades Amid IS Threat, South China Sea Standoff

March 20, 2017 1:40 PM Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR — 

Malaysia is gunning for a revamp of its aging naval fleet, as countries in the region prepare to face threats from the influx of Islamic State (IS) militants fleeing Mosul, and from rising tensions in the South China Sea.

Defense spending in the Asia Pacific region is expected to hit $250 billion from 2016-20, IHS Janes Defence Weekly said in December, and Malaysia intends to improve on its capabilities alongside other states in the hotly contested South China Sea, even as its defense budget narrows.

Malaysia's navy aims to replace all 50 vessels in its aging fleet as the country cut its total defense budget by 12.7 percent to 15.1 billion ($3.41 billion) this year. That will be led by the procurement of four littoral mission ships (LMS) built in collaboration with China.

"The LMS are designed for many aspects of maritime security such as dealing with cross-border crime, piracy, anti-terrorism, and search and rescue operations," Malaysian navy chief Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin told Reuters in an interview.

"These ships would be very capable of dealing with the threat posed by Daesh and other maritime security concerns," Kamarulzaman said, referring to the Arabic acronym for IS.

Malaysia is expected to formalize the LMS deal with China at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) this week to build four LMS and acquire the technology to construct more of the ships at home. The navy hopes this will enable them to obtain a total of 18 LMS.

Plans to acquire four LMS from China were first announced in November.

Over 500 exhibitors from 36 countries will parade their wares at this year's LIMA, which is held every two years on the northern duty-free island of Langkawi.

Kamarulzaman said they are also in the final stages of negotiations with French shipbuilder DCNS to launch a program to build the larger littoral combat ships (LCS), which he said should be formally announced in August or September this year.

The navy is also looking to acquire three new multi-role support ships (MRSS) and two more submarines to round off the fleet.

Competing needs

The naval buildup in the region comes as tensions rise in the South China Sea, where Beijing's creation of artificial islands has alarmed some Asian countries and stoked friction between China's navy and the U.S. air force.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.

Under President Joko Widodo, Indonesia's total defense spending jumped around 26 percent, and last month Thailand's military government approved a 13.5 billion baht ($389.05 million) submarine deal with China after putting the purchase on hold last year.

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), however, need to share intelligence if they want their big-ticket buys to be of any use, said Shahriman Lockman, a senior analyst with the Kuala Lumpur-based Institute of Strategic and International Studies.

Shahriman said asset upgrades like Malaysia's LMS program are important, but stressed that such high-value procurements would end up sailing blindly without strong intelligence sharing among the 10 ASEAN members, supported by a wide network of surveillance equipment.

"We're talking military patrol aircraft, radars, drones ... and in bigger numbers. Quantity is a quality of its own. It doesn't make sense to aspire to top-of-the-range equipment but in small numbers," Shahriman said.

"Equipment that contributes to maritime domain awareness ought to be the priority for all. You can't fight what you can't see."

ILE - A Royal Malaysian Navy's missile corvette and an offshore patrol vessel are seen March 13, 2014.

Lima 2011

By K. ASHRAF KAMMED
ashkam@thestar.com.my

Commercial aviation and shipbuilding segments will be added to the eleventh session of the Langkawi International Mari­time and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima ’11) show later this year, the Defence Minister said.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said segments of commercial and corporate aviation, commercial shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and overhaul and airport equipment and services would be re-introduced at this year’s exhibition.
“The segments are in line with expectations that Asia will lead global traffic by 2028. The exhibition for the commercial sector will provide more opportunities for companies to tap this lucrative market,” he said at the Lima ’11 launch at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre here yesterday.
The exhibition will be held from Dec 6 to 10 in Pulau Langkawi.
Among the major attractions at this year’s show are the new Airbus A400M Airlifter aircraft, four of which are expected to supplement the RMAF fleet of 15 Hercules C-130s by 2015.
Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ismail Ahmad said this year’s Lima show was expected to attract about 500 companies and more than 50,000 visitors and investors from 31 countries.
RMAF chief Gen Datuk Rodzali Daud said visitors would be treated to a display by the 1Malaysia Air Display Team comprising five Extra-330 aircraft operated by the Aero 3 company of Germany.
Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the navy would show off one of its submarines