Preparations for the 5th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2008 have taken a head-start. The event is scheduled to be held from November 24 to 28 at Karachi Expo Centre, says an ISPR press release issued here on Saturday.
Major General Muhammad Farooq, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production, while chairing the second steering committee meeting for IDEAS here Saturday, said that from the overwhelming response of foreign exhibitors for IDEAS 2008, one can gauge the popularity of this mega event. He said that it is heartening to note that more than 92 percent space has already been booked.
General Farooq further stated that this surge in response of foreign exhibitors can be attributed to the formal launch of lDEAS 2008 by the Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, during the "Soft Launch of IDEAS - 2008" at Islamabad on 23rd May 2008.
That ceremony was attended by Ambassadors/ High Commissioners, Defence Attaches and elite of corporate sector.
DG DEPO urged upon the participants of the meeting to ensure that IDEAS-2008 help create pleasant feelings and promote the image of Pakistan as a responsible and well organised nation among foreign delegates, exhibitors and trade visitors. The meeting was attended by representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Interior Ministry, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Government of Sindh, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Central Board of Revenue, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh Police, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Pakistan Customs, Civil Aviation Authority, City District
Government Karachi, Press Information Department and E-commerce Gateway- the event manager of the exhibition. During the meeting, departments responsible for various activities during IDEAS-2008 gave detailed presentations. It was reiterated that electronic and print media will be continuously informed about traffic plans to cause minimum inconvenience to the citizens of Karachi during the event.
City District Government Karachi reassured that outlook of the city will be further uplifted during the event so that foreign delegates take a good impression of the city while visiting Karachi.
All the representatives of concerned departments assured full support for the success of the event in the national interest which would promote the reputation of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular as a hospitable country and city. IDEAS plays an important role in showcasing the indigenously developed defence equipment and promoting defence exports of Pakistan. IDEAS is attended by a large number of high level defence delegations, exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world, it was further stated.