LIMA’09 On Target Despite Global Slowdown

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The biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition is on course to fulfill its role as the premiere Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition for the Asia Pacific. With nearly six months before the start of LIMA '09 from 1st to 5th December, a healthy 270 companies from 22 countries have confirmed their participation. According to Minister of Defence YB Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the LIMA '09 Cabinet Committee Chairman, "Efforts to promote this national event is progressing exceptionally well, taking into account the world economic situation. Over the years, we have been carefully cultivating a value proposition for companies participating in LIMA. And as a result, our reputation has cushioned us from the full impact of global cost cutting measures. I am confident that we will achieve our target of having 500 exhibitors".

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also revealed that invitations to 394 delegations from 58 countries have been sent comprising Ministers and Service Chiefs to ensure LIMA maintains a very high level of customer attendance.

Global Defence companies such as Finmeccanica and Fincantieri from Italy, EADS and it's subsidiary Eurocopter, DCNS, Thales and MBDA from France, Navantia from Spain, Rosoboronexport from Russia, Hawker Pacific, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and L-3 Communications from USA, SAAB from Sweden, Bombardier from Canada and ATE from South Africa have long confirmed their participation.

"We are proud to showcase RMN's latest acquisition, (the submarine) KD Tunku Abdul Rahman as one of the major highlights of LIMA, alongside the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339CM jet trainers acquired by the RMAF. Altogether, we are expecting 94 aircrafts and 80 Ships at LIMA this year. There will also be a first time demonstration of the USAF B-52 Aircraft and a first time performance by the Indian Air Forces' aerobatic helicopter team, Sarang, and Surya Kiran accompanying our RMAF aerobatic display. Rest assured, visitors to LIMA are in for a very interesting show" added Zahid.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid chaired the LIMA '09 Cabinet Committee meeting and witnessed the Official Sponsors Signing Ceremony between the organizers, HW LIMA Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Airlines as the Official Airline and Ground Handler and MIMOS Smart Computing as the Official IT Provider. Also present were the Minister of Transport, YB Dato' Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Tourism, YB Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Finance Minister II, YB Dato' Seri Ahmad Husni B Haji Hanadzlah and Deputy Minister of Works, YB Dato' Yoon Khoon Seng, Dato' Abu Bakar B Abdullah, MINDEF Secretary General, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hj Abdul Aziz Bin Hj Zainal, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Dato' Sri Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Jaafar and the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Azizan Ariffin.

Signing on behalf of MAS was Dato' Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang, Senior General Manager External Relations from MAS, Dato' Abdul Latif Mirasa, Chairman of MIMOS Smart Computing Sdn Bhd, whilst HW LIMA Sdn Bhd was represented by its Managing Director, En. Ahmad Dzuhri B Abdul Wahab.

MAS and MIMOS Smart Computing are long time sponsors of LIMA, having supported the show since 1991 and 1997 respectively.

LIMA '09 will be held in Langkawi from Dec 1-5, 2009. The Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre will house the main exhibition while ships display will be held at Awana Porto Malai.

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