By NNN-Bernama
Langkawi : The ninth edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2007 is a channel to foster closer relations between Britain and Malaysia, a British delegate said Monday.
Britain’s Defence Export Services Organisation public affairs director, Adam Thomas, said this was reflected in the strong British presence at Lima which will be opened Monday night by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“I think that other players see the exhibition as a place to sign deals. But for us, it is not only limited to signing several contracts. It’s a nice place to strengthen relations (between Britain and Malaysia).
“For us, LIMA 2007 is not just one of the more important regional shows because we think that it can be considered as one of the best shows in the world,” he said.
It is learnt that over 20 British companies, including well-known names such BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and VT Shipbuilding, are taking part in the event.
Meanwhile, the LIMA 2007 exhibition is to go on as scheduled despite the deaths of three Malaysian paratroopers in a mishap during training Sunday.
Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab, managing director of HW Lima Sdn Bhd — the organiser of the maritime segment of the biennial exhibition, said LIMA 2007 would have to go on in spite of the grief over the incident.
Three paratroopers of the 10th Para Brigade drowned and five others were injured when they parachuted into the sea off Kuala Muda after they were blown off course by strong winds when training for the opening of LIMA 2007 which will be held from Tuesday to Saturday.
“We are saddened by the incident,” he told reporters but said their plans were unaffected.
Ahmad Dzuhri said the infrastructure put in place for LIMA 2007 had enabled the search and rescue units to respond swiftly following the mishap.
He also said that his company had not received any official word yet from the authorities on the incident.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) public relations officer Major Zulkiflee Abdul Latiff said the paratroopers involved were among 138 members of the 10th Para Brigade who were training for the opening of LIMA 2007 Tuesday.