Post Event Report 2012
A total of 57 nations were represented in IDEAS - 2012 in the form of Foreign Delegations and International Exhibitors. Around 80 Delegations representing 50 nations attended IDEAS - 2012 including 24 high level delegations headed either by the Defence Ministers, Secretaries or Services Chiefs of the respective countries.
7th - 11th November, 2012
International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is a biennial defence exhibition, organized by Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP), Pakistan. The 7th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS - 2012) was successfully held at Expo Center, Karachi, Pakistan from 7 - 11 November 2012. Notwithstanding its conduct after a lapse of four years instead of two, the event received an overwhelming response from across the globe. A total of 57 nations were represented in IDEAS - 2012 in the form of Foreign Delegations and International Exhibitors. Around 80 Delegations representing 50 nations attended IDEAS - 2012 including 24 high level delegations headed either by the Defence Ministers, Secretaries or Services Chiefs of the respective countries. A total of 209 firms (135 foreign and 74 local) exhibited their products during the exhibition. Total attendance of IDEAS - 2012 exceeded the figure of 30,000, which includes Foreign Delegates, Trade Visitors and Exhibitors.
IDEAS - 2012 embodied host of activities comprising display of different defence products / equipment, an impressive Inauguration Ceremony, conduct of various seminars, sideline conferences and networking of high level delegates with exhibitors and OEMs.
The Inauguration Ceremony of IDEAS - 2012 was conducted on 7th November 2012. Prime Minister of Pakistan graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by Official Delegates, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Senior Government Officials, Foreign Diplomats and a large number of Exhibitors.
The Seminar, conducted on 7 November, was titled as "Security Outlook 2025 - Future Security Trends and Challenges for Defence Industry in Mounting Technological Response". The panel of speakers included prominent international defence analysts and experts like Dr. Maleeha Lodhi (Ex Ambassador, Pakistan), Mr Steve Coll (President of New America Foundation, USA), Mr Muharrem Dorktasli (President & CEO Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkey) and Ye Hailin (Chief Editor of South Asia Studies, China). The Presiding Officer of the Seminar, General (Retd) Ehsan Ul Haq (Ex Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee), in his concluding remarks stated that "given the fast pace of technological change, it would be perfectly natural to expect development of significantly new technologies, including those, which will alleviate our security and threat concerns". IDEAS - 2012 was first of the IDEAS series to feature Sidelines Conferences. The learned local and international defence analysts candidly shared their views in these sideline conferences.
To boost Pakistan's exports in Defence Sector, some of the major indigenously developed products showcased during IDEAS - 2012, included Main Battle Tank Al-Khalid, Fighter Aircraft JF-17 Thunder, Jet Trainer Aircraft K - 8 and a variety of UAVs etc. IDEAS - 2012 offered a unique opportunity to the international delegates/ visitors in acquiring an insight into the entire defence manufacturing and training capabilities of Pakistan, exhibited under single umbrella. It may be pertinent to highlight that Pakistan has a large defence manufacturing, training and support infrastructure in place, which not only meets the needs of Pakistani Armed Forces, but also has the capacity to fulfill demands of other countries with exceptionally high quality products at mutually acceptable terms.
Amongst the international exhibitors, exclusive country pavilions were set up by Turkey and China. Defence products and equipment from companies representing North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Far East were also impressively displayed through various stalls.
On diplomatic front, Foreign Delegates / Trade Visitors and Media endorsed the efficacy of IDEAS - 2012 as an extremely valuable and interactive forum for the defence trade. Signing of several MoUs between the governments and private companies has further enhanced the utility and success of this event.
In his concluding remarks, Major General Tahir Ashraf Khan, DG DEPO stated that ,"IDEAS - 2012 was focused on the projection of Pakistan as a modern, progressive and tolerant state, which is willing to co-exist peacefully with the international community and regional neighbours". He further added that the large attendance by key personalities of international and national stature speaks of the milestones achieved by IDEAS - 2012. He termed the event as an extraordinary success, due to highly encouraging and extremely positive feedback received from a large numbers of Foreign Delegates and Exhibitors. He congratulated M/S Badar Expo Solutions, the Event Manager of IDEAS - 2012 for managing the event in a highly professional and befitting manner, in line with the international standards.
International and local media has given extensive coverage to the event and published special reports and interviews of the participating delegates and exhibitors.
