Lima '23 bolsters Malaysia's position as regional aerospace, maritime trade hub

KUALA LUMPUR: The recently concluded Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (Lima '23) has bolstered Malaysia's position as a regional trade hub for the aerospace and maritime industry, said co-organiser Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd.

Alpine executive director Muhammad Aqlan Pacleb said Lima '23, which was jointly organised with the Defence Ministry and Transport Ministry, recorded agreements worth RM17.6 billion, including contracts related to the defence and commercial sectors for both industries.

He said that the participation of more than 600 trade exhibitors from home and abroad was capable of catalysing the country's economic growth.

"We attempted to promote this year's edition to create regional buyers as well as regional markets via working with stakeholders, (to secure) procurements from other countries, sitting with the exhibitors, and listening to the requirements of every country.

"Lima '23 was a very good platform as (companies) did not have to go to every country (to market their products) and this was very cost-effective as they could meet the desired people who were invited by Malaysia to attend the show," he told Bernama.

Muhammad Aqlan said the decision to bring in more than 400 distinguished persons from all over Asia to the aerospace and maritime show was a success as their presence convinced exhibitors to undertake business transactions related to the industry.

He said the business-to-business meeting sessions during the show also succeeded in providing an opportunity to commercialise future products but also promote the trade of existing products in the region.

Based on the encouraging response from the exhibitors, Muhammad Aqlan said there is a need to extend the number of days for the next Lima event to ensure more exhibitors can join and gain benefits.

"Visitors to Lima '23 saw the need that the three days allotted were not adequate. We think that there is a great possibility to extend the trade show to four days (and) open the business opportunity to the whole region," he said.

Lima '23 lasted for five days from May 23-27, 2023, with only the first three days allocated for trade visitors and the last two for the general public. -- BERNAMA