Holding of IDEAS series has been of great help to expose entire range of our defence industry to the outside world for defence cooperation and industrial collaboration. This was stated by the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of IDEAS 2008. He further commended the efforts of Defence Export Promotion Organization for providing an excellent interactive forum to the defence industry of the developed world and that of Pakistan.

Minister of Defence Production Mr Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi said that “IDEAS can be considered an ideal platform for interaction to discuss the importance of support services and equipment required by national and multinational forces for any intended theatre of operation.

After inauguration, the Chief Guest visited the halls and met the Foreign & Domestic Exhibitors and took keen interest in the defence related products being displayed at the Exhibition and interacted with the Exhibitors in detail.

Earlier in his welcome address Major General Muhammad Farooq, Director General, Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) warmly welcomed the large number of delegates, foreign exhibitors and trade visitors at IDEAS 2008 and said, “We feel proud to host 256 companies including 162 foreign and 94 Pakistani companies and 67 mid to high and highest level defence delegations, in addition to a number of other trade visitors.”
 
He further told that amongst our foreign friends, Turkey happens to be the star of IDEAS-2008 with its biggest pavilion consisting of 28 companies followed by the United State with 22 companies and Peoples Republic of China with their National Pavilion. Joining the ranks are South Africa, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, South Korea, Russia and Ukraine. Similarly, we have significant presence from 16 more countries both from the East and the West. Of course, Pakistan is fielding 94 companies in the exhibition for our foreign friends to interact with.

The Ceremony was attended by all the honourable visiting Defence Ministers, Senior Military Officials, Ambassadors, Federal Ministers, Federal Secretaries, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chiefs of all three armed forces.