Focus to be on two critical issues at Lima 2017

First-hand look: Liow and Hishammuddin touring the maritime exhibition at Resorts World Langkawi. They are accompanied by Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin.

LANGKAWI: Beyond the thunder of fighter jets, two issues will be receiving a critical focus at forums hosted by the 14th Langkawi Inter­national Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2017.

One concerns reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint on the environment and the other is on protecting the Straits of Malacca.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told a press confe­rence that the Asean Aviation Sum­mit would focus on creating a sustainable green environment for the sector, which is rapidly becoming an important contributor to the country’s economy.

The Asia Pacific Heads of Mari­time Safety Agency Forum (APHoMSA) meanwhile, is focused on executing safety measures in the Straits of Malacca to ensure that the maritime industry has a sustainable growth, he said.

The Asean Aviation Summit is jointly organised by the Transport Ministry and Department of Civil Aviation with the theme “Global Sustainable Green Aviation”.

APHoMSA is organised by the Transport Ministry and the Marine Department.

Speaking at a media high-tea event on board the vessel KD Jebat, Liow added that Lima 2017 provi­ded a “marketplace” for the players in the aviation, aerospace and ma­ritime industries to share know­ledge and technology and was a networking platform.

“In this regard, the Transport Ministry brought together 31 departments, agencies and industry players under its purview to showcase and promote the aviation and maritime industry,” he said.

“This includes airline and airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, aviation services providers, port operators, port authorities, acade­mia, training academies and other industry-related service providers.

“This certainly will provide a comprehensive overview highlighting the country’s transport industry as well as the ministry’s function as facilitator and enabler for the transportation industry,” Liow added.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was also present, said this year’s Lima saw an increase in total gross space in the exhibition – up by 15,000sq m in 2015 to 119,209sq m.

More than 180,000 trade and public visitors are expected during the exhibition from March 21-25 in Langkawi.