THE DSA 2018 EXHIBITION ATTRACTS OVER 50,000 VISITORS
Kuala Lumpur: The Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018 which held in Kuala Lumpur since 16 April until 19 April allows at least 1,500 exhibi-tors to feature their products with a wider and strategic space. This led to an increase of 200 exhibitors compared to DSA 2016 from 1,200 to 1,500 participant with additional in the number of interna-tional pavilions and 10 local compa-nies. DSA Managing Director, Anita Jacobson said, the exhibition is targeting 50,000 visitors from 30 countries with the aim of providing industry players with the opportuni-ty to market their products besides exchanging ideas. Anita also said that DSA is a biennial event held since 1988 and for the first time, National Security Asia (NATSEC) was introduced this year in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs. 'The disparity in DSA 2018 is that we have launched the NATSEC Asia 2018 which is a special exhibition for safety and it was the first time that collaboration was held. The combination is a collaboration between the Ministry, of Defense and the 1 Tome Ministry to provide awareness on the importance of defense and national security" she said In the last DSA 2016, the organiz-ers had 27 per cent higher visitors at 42,456 compared to what they had predicted. This time around, with 60 countries participate and 30 interna-tional pavilions, the main objective of most participants or countries is to discuss and find the most practical and feasible measures to stop extremism in the South-East Asia region. In the meantime, DSA 2018 is regarded as Asia's largest defense and security trade show with 280 companies participating and 350 delegations from 45 countries across the world which will make Malaysia a platform to showcase the latest technology and weapons. DSA also provides the opportuni-ty for knowledge-exchange and ideas-sharing between industry captains, government leaders, as well as heads of defence and security, in the Interest of forging mutual trust and cooperation between the relevant parties. The exhibition features a display of the world's most sophisticated hardware and electronic warfare in land, air and sea defence, battlefield healthcare products , technology, training and simulation systems and police and security peripherals. The combination of DSA 2018 and NATSEC Asia 2018 symbolises the strong cooperation and collaboration between the military and the police as well as other security agencies. It is also expected to unite various policy makers, agency forces and regional defense mechanisms within a larger space of booth exhibitions of 43,000 square feet. For first time participant, Oman Munition Production Company (OMPC) seeing DSA 2018 as a golde opportunity to introduce the; r product to the world involvin; technologies and building military industry that is capable of keepin; up with advancements in the arme I forces. General Manager Dr Ibrahim A i Mohamed Al Balushi said, (WPC would eventually be able to explore a larger market among the new country such as Thailand and Philir - pines through out DSA 2018. 'Providing high quality require-ments of small arms ammunition tp the Defense sector, DSA 2018 is a terrific follow-up opportunity ti support OMPC businesses in the international market. "Our company have been serving the armed forces by manufacturing J light munition weapons in two years time and we are planning to do more in the future with the help of this kind of international trade show," he said. Dr Ibrahim add, DSA 2018 also demonstrates the Oman govern-ment's commitment to supporting businesses to access ASEAN markets for a better future in a military sector across the world. "Cooperating with local and international private sectors to establish Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has always been OMPC activity and through out DSA 2018, it can be done on the right track," he said. OMPC main aims is to develop 100 percent Omani environment in Small Arms Ammunition (SAA) factory and continuously conducting research in cooperation with national and international research centers for the development in SAA fields.