This is splendid news for the potential of Pakistan’s exports and defence industry. We have a truly amazing opportunity to join other leading Muslim countries in defence co-operation and trade.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2002-daily/03-01-2002/business/b7.htm
Export of defence products can cross $1bn
Pakistan’s export of defence material could cross one billion dollars mark in 10 years through better marketing, higher value addition and induction of private sector in the process. This was stated by Director Planning and Development Defence Export Promotion Organisation Air Commodore Mansoor Malik while addressing the members of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the prospects of defence material exports from Pakistan are very bright. He said there is a need to organise and explore the right markets. He said Ideas 2001 - the defence equipment and material exhibition - organised in Karachi last year was a big success. He said it introduced Pakistan’s quality material to many prospective buyers. He said similar exhibition would be organised in September this year.
He said Pakistan produces over 100 items that are exportable to various countries. However, he added, “we are exporting only 12 of those items”. He said South East Asia and the Middle East are the main markets and these two regions import $25 billion worth of defence material annually.
He said defence material exports were restricted to the state enterprises for more than three decades and now the private sector has been inducted in the process. He said out of 50 exhibitors in the Ideas 2001 fair around 32 belonged to the private sector. Mansoor said the capital outlay on the defence production infrastructure in the country is over $15 billion. However, he deplored that the country exports defence material worth $40 million annually against imports of $600 million. He said the exports could immediately be increased to $60-65 million if a little more value is added to the materials.
He said the government expects to increase defence material exports to $250 million in five years and $1,000 million in a decade. He said negotiations are on with Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to export Al-Khalid Tank. He said Pakistan has recently supplied air-launch system worth $30 million to Turkey.
He said Pakistan would participate in the arms’ exhibition being organised in Malaysia in April. Earlier, President LCCI Dr Khalid Chaudhry stressed the need of encouraging private sector in defence material exports.
[This message has been edited by Malik73 (edited January 02, 2002).]