Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : LANGKAWI, KEDAH
Tarikh/Date : 30/09/2003
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF
LIMA `03
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
Let me begin by wishing all our guests Selamat
Datang, a warm welcome to the Langkawi International
Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2003 or LIMA `03. It
gives me great pleasure to officiate LIMA `03, the
seventh such exhibition since its inception in 1991,
especially in the presence of so many dignitaries and
senior military personnel, who join us here from around
the world.
2. LIMA took off to a humble start in 1991, as
Malaysia's inaugural effort in hosting an international
aerospace and maritime exhibition. Since then, LIMA has
come a long way. Today, increasing numbers of
exhibitors are drawn to LIMA, offering state-of-the-art
aerospace and maritime products for the rich and
growing market in Southeast and East Asia. It has
enabled some of these products which were not available
before to penetrate this lucrative market. Accordingly
the number of exhibitors and visitors has increased
considerably.
3. This exhibition has been located in the beautiful
resort islands of Langkawi because it is not hampered
by too much built-up areas, with the sea providing not
only a good site for ships to be anchored but also
allows aerial displays over water freely. In addition
Langkawi airport is not too busy and prolonged aerial
display can be carried out.
4. After LIMA `01, a wave of uncertainty has swept
across the world, brought about by the increasing
threat of terrorism and military action. Both have
destabilising effects on all countries. These have
slowed down the economy of the world, in particular the
air-travel and tourist industries. As a result demands
for aircrafts, especially commercial aircrafts have
diminished. The SARs episode has also affected the
travel industry seriously.
5. But there are signs now that the East Asia travel
trade is making rapid recovery. Tourist arrivals in
SEA are regaining to pre-SARs and pre-11 September
levels. This will lead to increase demands for
commercial passenger aircrafts in Asia.
6. The need for security has generated new
technologies and products. New devices are being
introduced for screening of air passengers and their
luggage as well as freight.
7. Airlines are competing with each other to provide
comfort and in-flight entertainment and communications.
New seat configurations are being introduced especially
for long-haul flights.
8. Even as there is more competition for the higher
end of the business we are now seeing tremendous growth
in the no-frills low cost airline business. Although
this may erode the business of the ordinary airlines,
there is no doubt that many who could not efford to fly
before are now flying. Orders for new aircrafts by low-
cost airlines have outstripped those by the normal cost
airlines. Malaysia has its own low cost airline and
appears to be doing very well.
9. Invariably an air-show will give a prominent place
for military aircraft and hardware. Many countries in
the region are anxious not only to upgrade their air
defences but also to acquire technology. Air defence
and maritime defence are very important in South East
Asia because most of the countries are made up of huge
archipelagos with long coastline and innumerable
islands to be secured. Ships and aircrafts are needed
for surveillance to ensure that shipping in the region
is safe, in particular from piracy. There is of course
a need to secure territorial waters and economic zones.
Oil rigs offshore are very vulnerable and have to be
protected. All these require some considerable
provision in terms of air and maritime defence
capabilities.
10. Malaysia has built a series of radar stations
along the western coast of the Peninsular to enable us
to oversee traffic along the Straits of Malacca. In
addition we are putting in more patrol boats and aerial
surveillance. But there is a financial limit to what
Malaysia can do to protect international shipping which
passes through the Straits in increasing numbers. We
are also planning to install radar stations all along
the Sarawak and Sabah coasts.
11. While we accept that the Straits of Malacca is an
International maritime passage, the world and in
particular the nations whose ships make use of this
waterway should also help in securing the passage.
There is also a need to dredge certain parts of the
Straits to ensure that ships do not run aground,
especially now when container ships are growing in size
and capacity.
12. The LIMA show which is both air and sea, provides
a good opportunity for the aerial and maritime
industries to exhibit their products to deal with the
situation arising not just from the threats of terror
and war but also the problems posed by the rapid growth
in trade, involving aerial and marine transport. At
the same time the countries in the region need to
acquire some capabilities to supply themselves with
their non-defence needs. Transfer of technologies and
manufacturing capabilities are therefore essential.
There is also the benefit that the Southeast Asian
countries can bring because of the lower production
cost which can improve the competitiveness and the
saleability of the products.
13. LIMA `03 offers ample opportunities for everyone.
To dignitaries and Government guests and trade
visitors, we invite you to visit the Aerospace and
Maritime booths to view the impressive array of
military hardware and civilian equipment that will be
on display.
14. For the exhibitors, LIMA `03 provides an excellent
platform to market their products not only to Malaysia
but also to the region. Please avail yourself of the
opportunity to network to form strategic partnerships
and alliances including joint ventures with local
companies. At the same time, we hope your participation
will also provide a better understanding of our local
industrial capabilities and the investment
opportunities and incentives provided by us in our
desire to make Malaysia a regional hub for
manufacturing and marketing activities, for civil and
military aerospace and maritime products.
15. Malaysia is a business friendly country. You will
find that all the major industrial corporations in the
world have manufacturing facilities here. More
importantly they seem to like the country so much that
most of them have expanded their operations here.
16. Malaysian companies are present in significant
numbers in LIMA '03. They are looking out for
opportunities to have joint-ventures with foreign
companies which have expertise in sophisticated
technologies. And they have knowledge and insights
into the markets of Southeast Asia. Mutually
beneficial results can come from cooperation between
Malaysia and foreign companies.
17. LIMA has and will continue to benefit Malaysia and
the Asia Pacific region, which is arguably the second-
largest market in the world for aerospace and maritime
products. According to forecasts, the total market for
defence exports to Asia alone is predicted to rise to
USD70 billion between 2002 and 2006. And it is
expected to continue to rise. It is for this reason
that the Malaysian Government is supporting the hosting
of exhibitions. We are confident that the LIMA series
will continue to be held biennially to meet the
objectives for which it was first mooted.
18. I sincerely hope that you will find your
participation in LIMA `03 a most meaningful and
enriching one and that you will be satisfied with the
infrastructure and security arrangements, which have
always remained of paramount concern to us. I also hope
you will be able to find time to take in the sights and
culture of this idyllic tropical paradise of Langkawi.
19. It is now with great pleasure that I declare LIMA
`03 officially open.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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