RECORD ATTENDANCE AT LIMA 2017
LANGKAWI: With an estimated 45,000 trade visitors and 555 exhibitors at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition 2017 (Lima 2017), the Defence Ministry and armed forces believe the show to be a resounding success.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday it was a relief for him, as the main minister responsible for Lima 2017, that it had gone on smoothly and had been a success.
“The challenges we faced were not easy (to get through), especially taking the economic uncertainties of the times into consideration. It is encouraging to note the participation of many nations, which have told us that they now see Lima and Malaysia as a strategic location.
“(It is encouraging that) bilateral discussions with the ministers of other countries (went on smoothly) and this shows that they have faith in Malaysia’s leadership,” he said at his final press conference for Lima 2017.
“I congratulate the two chiefs, of the navy and air force. What we saw over the past few days does not come easy,” he said, while also congratulating organisers EN Projects (M) Sdn Bhd.
Hishammuddin said, however, things needed to move forward as the Defence Services Asia exhibition and conference 2018 is just around the corner.
He cited, as a measure of the success of Lima and its aims, the South Korean aerobatics team the Black Eagles, and the Indonesian team Jupiter. The Black Eagles and Jupiter teams flew together yesterday, entering the demonstration zone in “Big Arrow” and “Delta” formations, respectively. It was a first in Lima history.
Turning to two members of the Black Eagles team who were present at the press conference, Hishammuddin said: “What you have done is a challenge to all of us... now the Russian Knights want to work with the Malaysian aerobatics team. This is something to celebrate.”
Defence Ministry secretarygeneral Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi said, apart from the 45,000 or so trade visitors, the ministry expected some 70,000 visitors yesterday and a similar amount today. This, he said, exceeded Lima 2015 in all aspects.
Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said he had spoken to the chiefs of the three services and all were of the same mind that the exhibition was a success.