Next Lima expected to see more participation, says minister

The crowd at 2017 Lima.

LANGKAWI: The Defence Ministry is expecting a 10% increase in participation at the 14th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) that will be held in 2017.       

Defence Deputy Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said that since the biennial event started in 1991, it has attracted more participation from other countries.

“But this year, it increased tremendously. I hope in the future more countries will take part in LIMA.

“We expect the increase to be not less than 10% of the total countries that participated this year,” he told a press conference Saturday.

He was speaking on behalf of the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who was not present.

LIMA 2015, touted as the biggest and grandest to date, featured 512 exhibitors from 36 countries, compared to just 433 exhibitors from 31 countries in 2013.

A total of 64 countries participated in the programmes held in conjunction with LIMA this year, including the exhibition, aerial show and aircraft display, maritime vessels demonstrations and display, business forum and others.

HW LIMA Sdn Bhd managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Wahab, which organized LIMA, said there are several things that should be taken note of in attracting more countries and exhibitors in 2017.

He said as far as the market is concerned, LIMA is seen as a niche for Asia and ASEAN.

“It will be fantastic if the number of senior delegates and official missions attending is kept up,” he said there was participation of 148 officials this year.