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US, France Major Participants at ‘DEF-EXPO 2008’
New Delhi, February 13, 2008
Telecom and IT companies will be showcasing
their products and services for the first time in the DEFEXPO
2008, Pradeep Kumar, Secretary, Defence Production, said here
today. Addressing a press conference ahead of the four-day
Exposition, Kumar said 273 companies from over 30 countries
would display weapon systems for army and navy. The United
States with 46 exhibitors is the largest participant while 43
exhibitors will represent France. Major participants include
Russia and UK, besides Israel, South Africa, Germany, Italy,
Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden and South Korea.
The Defence Minister A K Antony will inaugurate the 5th
DefExpo-2008 at Pragati Maidan on Saturday, February 16th.
Organised by the Department of Defence Production, the
exhibition will continue till February 19th. The Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII) is its event manager.
Reflecting the increased role of private sector in defence
industry, the Defence Production Secretary said over 200
Indian private sector companies besides defence undertakings
would participate in the exhibition. Dedicated to global land
and naval systems business activity – from suppliers to
manufacturers, technology providers to services – the DefExpo
also offers an opportunity to the international defence
industry to promote and showcase their products and services.
As many as 90 products would be launched by domestic and
foreign companies during the DefExpo, Pradeep Kumar said.
Kumar said the DefExpo would project the emergence of India as
an attractive market as well as an investment destination for
joint ventures in defence industry. The exhibition has
generated attention globally and has carved a niche amongst
major defence exhibitions around the world, he added.
The DefExpo was conceptualised in 1998 with an objective to
promote defence exports from India and exhibit the
capabilities of Indian defence R&D and production. The first
exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004 and
2006. While a modest 197 exhibitors participated in the first
DefExpo, the biennial event will feature 475 companies in its
5th edition this year. Delegations from 47 countries including
Afghanistan would attend the deliberations.
For the first time, the CII will be hosting a Golf Tournament
for the participants, coinciding with the DefExpo.
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