Leading defence-manufacturing companies from Pakistan are participating in the 13th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2017 being held at Istanbul from 9-12 May. "Pakistan Pavilion," established in the fair is attracting a large number of visitors and prospective buyers. Pakistani stalls are one of the most visible and frequently visited, says a press release received from Istanbul.
Fourteen delegations from Pakistan as well as leading Pakistani companies including Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), National Radio & Telecommunication (NRTC), etc are participating in the event. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim inaugurated the fair on Tuesday while Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, who is leading Pakistani delegation to the event, also cut the ribbon along with the Turkish premier.
The Turkish Prime Minister later visited various stalls and also visited Pakistani stalls. He interacted with the officers at PAC, HIT and POF stalls. Turkish Prime Minister was apprised of the quality and capabilities of the products being produced by Pakistani defence industry.
On the side-lines, the Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain met with Minister for Defence Industry of Azerbaijan, Deputy Defence Minister of Malaysia and other dignitaries. He also met with a delegation of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) including Chairman Oguz Borat and President and CEO Dr Temel Kotil.
Pakistan delegation also includes Secretary Defence Production Lieutenant General Syed Muhammad Awais (retd) , Secretary Defence Lieutenant General Zamir Ul Hassan Shah (retd), Director General DEPO Major General Agha Masood Akram, Chairman HIT Lieutenant General Muhammad Naeem Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chairman PAC Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chairman POF Brigadier Tahir Islam, Director General Military Procurement Major General Faiz Muhammad Khan Bangash, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Sohail Mahmood and other high ranking officials of the defence production sector of Pakistan. Members of the Pakistan delegation are holding meetings with their Turkish counterparts and other visiting delegations from the Middle East, Africa and Europe.