MINISTERS SEE GREAT FUTURE FOR LIMA
LIMA can place Malaysia in the global maritime and aerospace arena, says Loke
BOTH Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and Transport Minister Anthony Loke are of one mind: there is a promising future for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA).
Since its inception in 1991, LIMA has been under the Defence Ministry, but this year, for the first time, LIMA is a 50-50 venture between the Defence and Transport Ministries.
At a joint press conference, both sang praises of the exhibition, which has grown from strength to strength over the years.
Loke said LIMA would place Malaysia in the global maritime and aerospace arena should the current momentum of local and international participation continue.
He said with 51 per cent international and 49 local exhibitors for LIMA 19 this time, it would augur well for Malaysia’s plans and aspirations in having a good mix of defence and transport for future LIMA events.
“For LIMA 2019, the Transport Ministry pavilion is represented by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM), the Marine Department, the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Port Klang Authority (PKA), Johor Port Authority, The Penang Port Commission, Bintulu Port Authority, University Malaysia of Terengganu (UMT) and others.
“As for the country category, Turkey took the biggest pavilion followed by Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and France.
“The commercial pavilion is spearheaded by the Transport Ministry, while the largest local company is Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd followed by National Aerospace and Defence Institute, Mubibbah Engineering Bhd and Sapura Group Bhd,” he said after a high tea for the media.
Loke said the largest international company for LIMA 2019 was Aselsan from Turkey, BAE Systems from the UK and Dassault Aviation from France.
He said the Marine Department was highlighting the e-Navigation, a system that provides marine information on board and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth navigation and related services for safety and security at sea and marine environment protection.
At LIMA 2019, the Malaysia Aviation Academy will bring a simulator demo used for Air Traffic Control officers during training.
Loke said: “On the aviation side, Malaysia has been a member of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) since May 7, 1958. Malaysia has taken a prominent role in the work of the council and continues to contribute significantly towards achieving ICAO’s vision in the global aviation industry.”
The collaboration of the Defence and Transport Ministries for LIMA 2019 is in line with the theme “Defence and Commercial Connecting Intelligence”.
Mohamad said Malaysia was on the right track to attract more quality investment and develop the local supply chain.
He said the biennial LIMA exhibition was one such avenue to spur the growth of the industries.
“LIMA is useful for us to expand our network, prioritise, rebalance and strategise efforts to further strengthen the industry. What we want to focus on now can be something constructive.
“But whether this is achievable depends on whether the stakeholders and industries will come forward.”
He said 119,200 sq m was occupied at the main venue at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), Padang Matsirat to host the aerospace segment, especially the aerial aircraft displays.
Additional exhibition space, to a lesser extent, was taken up at the Resorts World Langkawi for the maritime segment, including the fleet review of naval warships at the Star Cruise jetty.
“At the end of the exhibition, an estimated 40,000 trade visitors and members of the public will have walked through the halls.
“This is testament to LIMA’s ability to generate not just business, but wider public interest to these dynamic industries,” said Mohamad.
He said LIMA continued to be recognised as among the leading and most successful international aerospace and maritime shows.
“Hence, we have been able to elevate Lima into one of the most anticipated events in one’s calendar, all made possible through the continous support and commitment from industry players and their related sectors.”
Mohamad said through ministries and agencies, LIMA had been pushed to break free from a “defence only” event to a more distinct platform for industries to thrive on.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to open the 15th edition of LIMA 2019 at MIEC today.