LIMA 2009: This year's edition to double up as military & tourism event

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LIMA 2009: This year's edition to double up as military & tourism event
By : Sager Ahmad

UALA LUMPUR, Tues:

The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima’09) this year will double up as both a military and a tourism event.
Defence minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid said a fly-past by the eight-engined B-52 Startorfortress, one of the best-known strategic bombers in the United States, will be one of the highlights at Lima’09.

“The air show will be carried out by Surya Kiran and the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team from the Indian Air Force while the backbone of the show will be aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

“We are proud to showcase our latest acquisition, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (submarine), and the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 CM jet trainer. A total of 94 aircraft and 80 ships are expected at Lima’09.’

He said the organisers had targetted 500 exhibitors with 270 companies from 22 countries with 45,000 trade visitors and 40,000 members of the public expected to attend Lima’09.
He earlier chaired the Lima’09 Cabinet Commiteee meeting and witnessed the official sponsors signing ceremony between HW LIMA Sdn Bhd and Malaysian Airlines which is the official airline and ground-handler.

MIMOS Smart Computing is the official IT provider.

MAS was represented by its senior general manager external relations, Capt Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang, Mimos by its chairman Datuk Abdul Latif Mirasa and HW LIMA Sdn Bhd by its managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is confident that this year’s Lima will be a lively despite worldwide economic gloom.

She said Lima’09 will be a platform to showcase the best of what “Malaysia Truly Asia” had to offer with Langkawi blessed with a wide choice of attractions in its beaches, islands, scenery, food and duty-free shopping.

She said the ministry was encouraging locals to open their homes to visitors in the wake of the shortage of rooms on the island.

“Daily pasar malam will be held at several locations in Langkawi to sell all kinds of things. There will be shuttle buses charging a minimum of RM1 to solve the transportation problem.

“We like to remind hoteliers to think of long-term benefits from repeat visitors instead of making a one-time ‘killing’.’

She recounted numerous reports of hotelliers charging exorbitant rates and imposing compulsory stays of up to seven nights in order to confirm bookings.

Source
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/NewsBreak/20090602185639/Article/index_html