Within striking distance

LANGKAWI: The procurement agreements achieved at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (Lima ‘23) were in line with the government’s commitment to keeping the country’s defence capabilities and level of preparedness at optimum levels, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Multiple agreements worth a total of RM17.6bil were signed throughout Lima ‘23, of which RM10.1bil in 43 contracts were defence-related, he revealed.

“Throughout the five-day event, my defence counterparts exchanged insights into many things. Among them is how we can further strengthen regional cooperation between our countries and the way forward to promote a strong, stable and sustainable future,” he said in his speech at the Lima ‘23 closing ceremony held at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre compound here yesterday, Bernama reported.

ALSO READ : RMAF pilots’ airshow spectacle delights the crowd

Mohamad also expressed his gratitude to all participants of Lima ‘23, saying the exhibitors for the 16th edition of the event continued to impress with the latest advancements in technology.

This year’s edition of the event involved the Defence Ministry (defence sector) and Transport Ministry (commercial sector).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Lima had made a strong rebound as the leading aerospace and maritime exhibition and trade show in the Asia-Pacific region after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said a great number of Malaysian companies and organisations had made use of the opportunities presented at Lima ‘23 to secure deals and form partnerships.

“Overall, RM7.5bil worth of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and commercial contracts were signed during this Lima ‘23,” he said, adding that the commercial segment had grown larger this year.

In his speech at the closing ceremony, Loke also noted that this was the second time that the Transport Ministry had acted as the co-lead ministry for Lima.

He also said his ministry had managed to seal three MOUs at Lima ‘23, namely the first responder strategic cooperation pact between the Air Accident Investigation Bureau and the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department as well as Malaysia Airports Fire and Rescue Service.

“These MOUs will ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and improve cooperation during aircraft accidents and incident investigations,” he added.

Loke also commended agencies under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry – namely the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) – for their role in facilitating business-matching meetings between Malaysian companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, and foreign buyers and partners.

“These efforts have helped to further enhance the capabilities of Malaysian players in the aerospace and maritime sectors and in so doing, moved us closer to the realisation of our national goals as outlined in the National Aerospace Industry Blueprint and Malaysian Shipping Industry Master Plan,” he said.

The five-day Lima ‘23, themed “The Nexus of Asia’s Maritime and Aerospace Trade”, attracted over 525 exhibitors, including 140 companies from the defence industry, 101 companies from the commercial sector and 284 companies from both sectors.

The next Lima is slated for May 2025.