IDEF 2011With Wide Participation to be Held in Istanbul on 10-13 May 2011
The introductory press conference to the IDEF-2011 10th International Defence Industry Fair to be held between 10 and 13 May 2011 in Istanbul took place at the Sheraton Hotel. The press conference was attended by high level defence officials, company representatives, foreign military attaches and members of the press.
In his remarks Major General (R) Fikri Gönültaş, the Deputy General Manager of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV) stated that IDEF Fairs take place under the patronage and support of the Ministry of National Defence and thanked the Minister and Foundation personnel. Explaining that from 1993 up to now the Foundation had successfully organized 9 IDEF fairs and that exhibitors and visitors had shown an increase over the years, Gönültaş stated that IDEF fairs were the largest in the region and among the first five in the world. Mentioning that the fair had become an important publicity and marketplace for Turkey, 283 foreign firms from 45 countries and 180 domestic firms for a total of 463 firms had participated in IDEF 2009 and taking into consideration the number of countries and firms that have signed a contract or made a reservation at the present time for IDEF 2011, they expect the number of countries to exceed 50 and the number
This fair, said Fikri Gönültaş, in terms of seeing the level reached by the Turkish defence industry that in particular has shown a tremendous expansion in recent years, will exhibit new defence industry products that are nationally and indigenously designed. Stating that one of the most important activities at the fair is “contacts,” Gönültaş added that during the period of the fair the Chief of General Staff, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and the Coast Guard Command will provide “contact offices” for their decision making and purchasing units.
Expressing his view that the level of success obtained by the IDEF fair in the past will, in their opinion, increase even more at IDEF 2011, Gönültaş stated that they planned to invite the defence ministers of 122 countries and the purchasing authorities of 12 international organizations to the fair.
Undersecretary for Defence Industries Mr. Murad Bayar, on the other hand, stated that the IDEF was planned as the most high-powered fair in the region and that it would crown this feature at the 10th IDEF to be held in May 2011 and said that, “We expand a unique and a wide spectrum of domestic and foreign participation.” Mr. Bayar said he believed the success attained at the 2009 IDEF would be built on even further with the fair in 2011. After the remarks made, SSM Undersecretary Mr. Bayar and TSKGV Deputy General Manager Gönültaş answered the questions of the members of the press.
Later Gönültaş, on being asked the question, “Among the countries that have made reservations up to now is Israel included?” answered by saying: “Relating to Israel, of course our Minister of National Defence in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; our Minister of National Defence makes the invitation personally and there is still time. At the present time both ministries decide on invitations to all countries and subsequently our Minister of National Defence invites them.” On being asked about information on a company base, Gönültaş stated: “Up to now there is no company participation (from Israel) but if they apply it will always take place.”
Indicating that previous IDEF fairs took place in April, to the question: “Is there a special reason this year’s fair is taking place in May? For example, Israel did not participate in the 2009 IDEF because of a religious holiday, has this been taken into account in setting the date? Gönültaş answered by saying, “No, when a tender takes place, no country’s religious or national holiday is taken into consideration. We only determine the date and carry out the tender accordingly.”
Asked how much IDEF’s revenue was, Gönültaş stated that in 2009 they obtained a revenue of 4.5 million dollars and that they had planned to receive 4,250,000 million dollars from the 2011 fair. Gönültaş: “This figure is minimum but will increase as we sell space. Here the important point is publicityof the country.” Asked on the move to Istanbul, Gönültaş said that: “Not finding a suitable location for the fair in Ankara, it moved to Istanbul. If a place is built with open and indoor areas with social facilities the fair can again take place in Ankara.”
Gönültaş, in addition, indicated that the number of countries that will participate for the first time in IDEF 2011 is twelve. After the press conference a reception was held.
