8th INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE INDUSTRY FAIR IDEF: One of The Major Defence Exhibitions in World

Defence Turkey: Mr. General Manager; at beginning of our speech, could you please tell us your assessments about the significance of IDEF International Defence Industry Fair for Turkey, which brings the Turkish defence industry and world defence industry together on a common platform?

Today, the IDEF Defence Industry Fair takes place among the world’s top five defence industry fairs that have the same features and it is the biggest in the Eurasia region. Therefore, IDEF has a big significance, not only for Turkey, but also for the region and for all of the participating countries. With its socio-cultural and economic extent, IDEF fairs make significant contributions to the presentation of Turkey.

From socio cultural point of view; the delegations from the participating countries have the opportunity to communicate with each other by various activities that are realized during the fair. Naturally this contributes to the development of tight relationships between the delegations.

This ambience that is created within the fair appears as a very significant factor, securing the regional and world peace and lays a proper ground for the agreement and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, I especially want to mention that I am honoured to express our traditional Turkish hospitality to all of our guests in this fair as in previous fairs and hope that the fair will make significant contributions to the strengthening of mutual relations and in turn to the agreements that will be made as a result by all parties.

The relationships that will be built as I have just mentioned, are not only limited within the fair area. It will also appear in every context during the fair period.

The fair requires all sectors, directly related to the needs such as shopping, catering and accommodation, to be in charge and responsible for our country’s presentation. I want to emphasize that the kindness and honesty of the Turkish people has been a significant factor in realizing these fairs successfully so far.

Meanwhile, I anticipate that the agreements and contracts realized during the fair will ensure significant revenues and benefits to all of the countries in short, medium and long term. I also evaluate that the IDEF 2007 Fair will contribute to our economy by providing a significant amount of foreign exchange income, along with the presentation of our country,

Briefly; regarding the presentation of Turkey internationally, expanding its extent in the world defence industry market and its contribution to regional and world peace, the IDEF’s are significant activities that are held every two years.

Defence Turkey: The IDEF fairs that are executed under the supervision and the responsibility of Turkish Armed Forces Foundation have become one of the world famous and effective fairs. Could you please inform us in general about the fair, 8th of which will be held between 22 and 25 May, 2007?

Before the 8th International Defence Industry Fair, let me inform you briefly about the history and the legal status IDEF fairs. In accordance with the 5th article of the “methods and principles of holding domestic fairs” document of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, IDEF fairs are organized by Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF). In that context, we, as Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, have undertaken the supervision and responsibility of IDEF, Turkish Defence Industry’s opening gate to the world that has been held every two years in Ankara (in the odd years) since 1993, under the auspices of Ministry of National Defence. The foundation organizes the IDEF fairs with a main contractor company. As all of you know, this main contractor company is TÜYAP Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. since 2005.

Depending on the developments so far, official committee invitations have been made to 83 countries by Minister of National Defence for the IDEF 2007 fair that is going to be held in Ankara Hippodrome. As of April 2007, confirmations from 48 countries have been received. In addition to this, it has become definite that a total of 150 foreign delegations will visit the fair including 21 minister of defence, 3 chief of general staff. It’s estimated that these numbers will increase until the opening date of the fair.

Meanwhile, as of April 2007, it has become definite that a total of 410 companies (146 local, 264 foreign) from 48 countries will participate in IDEF 2007, which is a potential market for the local and foreign companies and in which not only the weapons but also high technology systems and byproducts will be exhibited as well. In this context, the sale, reservation and assignment of a total area of 18.350 m2 have been completed.

As Turkish Armed Forces Foundation that has conducted the previous seven IDEF Fairs held between 1993 and 2005 successfully, we believe that this year’s fair will also be another success story.

Defence Turkey: Major renewals had been observed in IDEF 2005, when compared with IDEF 2003. Will there be additional renewals in IDEF 2007? Could you please inform us about these renewals?

As you know major success had been achieved in IDEF 2005 compared with the previous IDEF fairs, as a result of the five major changes that have been realized.

These are; the new fair area determined as the 75th Year Ankara Hippodrome Facilities, the 25% price reduction, the new main contractor company determined as the TÜYAP Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc., the negotiation offices that was constructed within the fair area and the extension of the scope of the fair. The interviews and the questionnaires, which are prepared by TAFF and realized with the local and foreign exhibitors at the end of each fair, provide a significant feedback for the most proper organization of the next fair. According to the results of the interviews and questionnaires, depending on the intensive demand for the negotiation offices, necessary arrangements have been done this year in order to increase the number of negotiations and additional offices have been constructed for the exhibitors to make negotiations with foreign delegation. Moreover, three lounges in various capacities have been prepared for the seminars, conferences and meetings about the defence industry during the fair.

In addition to these renewals, if desired by the exhibitor companies and the foreign delegation, visits to TAFF’s affiliations in defence industry and to the divisions of the Turkish Armed Forces which uses the end products of these affiliations will also be organized.

Meanwhile, the general scope of the fair has been extended comparatively. In IDEF 2007, major defence subsystem manufacturers, teknopolice companies, SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises), research institutes, universities, industry and commerce chambers will have the opportunity to exhibit their capabilities and cooperate with local and foreign organizations. So, taking into consideration that defence industry has a pioneer role among other industries, the opportunity to realize the advanced technology and to develop their R&D activities in this manner have been provided to all industrialists that have visited the fair area both as guest or as an exhibitor. I wish success to all of the participants in IDEF 2007, 8th International Defence Industry Fair and express my gratitude to our main contractor company and all the other organizations that have contributed to the successful organization of the fair. I hope IDEF 2007 will contribute to the world peace.

Defence Turkey: Mr. Sen, We would like to thank you for your fruitful interview and wish you success for the fulfillment of your objectives.