1) BERNAMA December 08, 2007 22:45 PM
LIMA 2007 Ends, Nets Over RM13 Bln Business Deals
LANGKAWI, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 exhibition ended today with an encouraging note, chalking up business transactions totalling RM13.199 billion.
The amount far exceeded the figures during the LIMA 2005 and 2003, which stood at RM3.5 billion and RM1.14 billion, respectively.
The five-day exhibition from Tuesday witnessed the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the government and the private sector.
A total of 450 companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing some of the most advanced air and maritime products and technologies available today.
About 50,000 visitors and 30,000 trade delegates visited the aerospace and maritime exhibitions.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described LIMA 2007, participated by 41 countries, as a success.
The biennial event also saw stiff competition from aviation companies vying to win a contract for the replacement of the ageing fleet of the Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopters.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the tender was still open.
Lima also saw RMAF taking delivery of 10 Pilatus PC-MK II trainer aircraft, costing RM213 million, from a Switzerland company.
The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) also signed a US$650 million deal with ATR, a European aircraft manufacturing corporation, for the purchase of 20 72-500s planes for Firefly and MASwings, subsidiaries of the national carrier.
Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, who manned the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry's booth, was a star attraction himself, as visitors and fans jostled to get his autographs.
Also stealing the show at LIMA 2007 were the heart-stopping dare-devil aerobatic manoeuvres and aerial formations by the British Royal Air Force "Red Arrows" and RMAF's newly-acquired Russian-made Sukhoi SU-30 MKM fighter jets.
This year's LIMA will be a special and memorable event to Bernama reporter Ahmad Farizal Abdul Hajat who was given the "honour" to be in one of the Red Arrows' aircraft.
Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the state government would introduce several tourism components at the next LIMA in 2009.
He said participation would be extended to tour operators from the Asia- Pacific region.
"Further discussions will be held with the LIMA organiser on the matter," he told reporters after presenting the Malaysia Book of Records certificate to LMT Maritime Managing Director Ibrahim Ali Abdul Wahab.
-- BERNAMA
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