Defence production: export potential grows substantially, NA body told

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production was informed on Tuesday that export potential of Pakistan's defence industry had grown substantially and playing an increasing role towards country's economic permanence. During the visit to the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Islamabad under the chairmanship of Khawaja Sohail Mansoor MNA, the committee was briefed by Director General DEPO Major General Ahmad Mahmood Hayat.
The committee was apprised about DEPO's initiatives towards co-ordination, facilitation and promotion of exportable defence products of Pakistan's public and private defence industries. In addition, the committee was also briefed about ongoing preparations for IDEAS-2018 to be held from 27-30 November, 2018 at Karachi Expo Centre. He stressed upon early resolution of subsidiary issue to facilitate participation of private defence manufacturers in IDEAS-2018 as well as devising a mechanism for their participation in international defence exhibitions in co-ordination with DEPO.
He further informed the committee that the export potential of Pakistan's defence industry had grown substantially and playing an increasing role towards country's economic permanence. He said that through public private partnership today these industries are capable to export their competitive defence equipment to perspective international buyers. To afford enhanced opportunities in new markets, Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) was the premier institution for promoting and showcasing initiatives, services of Public & Private Defence Industry of Pakistan, he said. International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) under the flagship of DEPO was one of the mega events in the region with enhanced participation of both national and foreign defence manufacturers, vendors and traders, he said.
The committee while lauding DEPO's efforts, emphasised on all relevant government ministries/departments for their all out support to the DEPO to further enhance the defence exports of Pakistan. The members of the committee also visited DEPO Display Centre and highly appreciated the displayed products of various Pakistani defence industries. The meeting was attended by MNAs Muhammad Khan Daha, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Bhawan Das, Shah Jahan Baloch, Asiya Nasir, Bilal Rehman, Sajid Hussain Tori and senior officers of the Defence Export Promotion Organization.