The platform of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) gives the opportunity to demonstrate Pakistan’s defence production capabilities and skills in organization, training and defence services sector. This five-day exhibition of arms, ammunition and equipment, starting from November 24 to 28, 2008 aims to bring together international and local manufacturers to explore the opportunities for cooperation in the field of defence production through joint ventures, outsourcing and collaboration. This was stated by Major General Muhammad Farooq, Director General, Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) in a press briefing at Karachi Expo Centre.

Major General Farooq said that foremost objective of IDEAS is to seek affordable solutions to prevent war through conventional balance, he added.

Tracing the journey from IDEAS 2000 to IDEAS 2008, the exhibition has grown in size and stature in a short span of seven years.

Highlighting the tremendous potential for economic spin off in various industries directly or indirectly related to IDEAS, the DG said that; all hotels in Karachi are fully booked by the foreign delegates and exhibitors of IDEAS-2008 showing 100% occupancy thus generating revenue of more than US $ 3.8 million for hotel industry alone. This growth rate has remarkably influenced forty (40) industries which are linked with the hotel business. Some of these industries are Transport, Food, Textile, Supplies and Cutlery.

Along this, the stalls at IDEAS-2008 constitute 7,500 sqm space being built in a way that at least One man power is deputed to perform specific responsibilities at every One sqm of exhibit space. Hence creating approximately 7,500 job opportunities. Moreover, the supplies used in stall construction like wood, glass, paint etc have cost US $ 230 per sqm which according to a rough estimate costs around US $ 1.7 million over 7,500 sqm of exhibit space.

Another benefit of IDEAS mentioned by Major General Muhammad Farooq was that, participation of international players in IDEAS-2008 provides an excellent opportunity for 80% SMEs of Pakistan to export small parts of different weapons and other devices being manufactured by them. This opportunity serves as a base to invigorate the industry of the country and will help offset the gloomy SME market. The Event also provides a chance to both local and international defence industries to directly interact with each other and develop future relations.

IDEAS-2008 for the first time will introduce defence-related ancillary products like tinned food etc thus providing an ideal opportunity for defence manufacturers to collaborate with Pakistan or other prospective international partners.

In IDEAS-2006, 221 Leading Defence manufacturers from 27 countries including 148 foreign and 73 domestic companies displayed their products. IDEAS-2008 will be bigger in size and stature in terms of exhibition space booked, number of defence companies participating and large number of very senior level defence delegations from our friendly countries. On the whole IDEAS-2008 will be the biggest event of the exhibition industry of Pakistan that will be participated by 60 countries in the form of 256 defence companies including 162 foreign and 94 Pakistani and 67 mid, high and highest level defence delegations.

DIG Traffic, who was also present apprised that they were fully aware of the hardships Karachiites have to face. In order to reduce the inconvenience caused they have taken measures in the form of well developed traffic plans for the general public and delegates of IDEAS-2008. Continuous announcements are being made on FM channels, TV and newspapers. 

DG DEPO Major General Muhammad Farooq in the end said, “International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, IDEAS-2008 is a feat holding contribution from several organizations”. We fully appreciate and endorse the all out support being rendered by the Armed Forces, the Federal Government the Sindh Govt and the CDGK. He paid special tributes to the people of Karachi for their warm-hearted hospitality. Successful holding of IDEAS-2008 will go a long way in demonstrating the resolve and success of the Govt to encourage enterprises enabling them to compete with the foreign industries.