KUALA LUMPUR – After a hiatus of four years, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) is making a comeback and is expected to generate trade volume and contract values of between RM7 to RM8 billion.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Lima 2023 would be the biggest ever as many defence players in Asia Pacific and from across the globe were eager to participate, after the pandemic caused the biennial event to be off the calendar since 2019.
“We have invited 600 exhibitors and so far, 80% of them have confirmed participation. We are excited and looking forward to that.
“Lima is the biggest defence exhibition event in Asia Pacific, which combines both the maritime and aerospace sectors in one place, and I am proud to be able to carry on this tradition,” he said at the official launch of Lima 2023 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre here today.
The target for this year’s Lima will be to double growth as RM4 billion worth of contracts were inked in 2019’s exhibition.
This year’s Lima, which will be held from May 23 to 27, is expected to attract nearly 600 exhibitors from 30 countries, with 360 participants or 60% from the overall exhibiting companies from the defence industry.
Mohamad explained that Lima would also provide opportunities for the local defence industry to showcase itself and its products to global players.
He said that Lima would also support the Defence Ministry’s plan to launch the National Defence and Security Industry Policy this year.
“The national defence policy will be in line with the white paper for the nation’s defence to ensure we are able to develop the local defence industry and provide high-impact technology to local players and create job opportunities,” he added.
The launch of Lima 2023 was officiated by Mohamad and Transport Minister Anthony Loke alongside the exhibition’s organiser Alpine Integrated Solution’s chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib.
Also in attendance were Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Sri Muez Abd Aziz, and various ambassadors and high commissioners from across the globe.
It is expected that a total of 110 ships and vessels as well as 110 aircrafts for static and air display will be participating in the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Loke said that the Transport Ministry is set to support the event by beefing up the aviation, land, and maritime service sectors.
“We are looking into how we can solve and rejuvenate the ferry transportation to support this important event and for the public to enjoy it after four years of absence in Langkawi,” he asserted.
He said Lima 2023 would also give special emphasis to the drone and technology segments.
“The global commercial drone market was estimated at US$9.43 billion (RM40 billion) in 2021 and is expected to grow at a cumulative growth rate of 29.8% to reach a value of US$54.17 billion by 2028.
“Domestically, the drone industry is set to contribute RM50.71 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic product by 2030,” Loke said. – The Vibes, January 16, 2023
