02.06.2009.

Minister opens Partner 2009

Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac opened 4th international armaments and military equipment fair “Partner 2009” which gathers 75 home and foreign exhibitors from 13 countries. On that occasion Minister Sutanovac said that the organizers of the fair never even thought 5 years ago when they first launched the fair that it would grow from a local manifestation into a significant international convention.

The Minister reminded the present that thei year';s exports of our defense industry which reached 400 mn USD was the largest export since 1991,where similar exports success was expected for this year as well.

”I wish to stress that the Government will do its utmost to boost and give special incentives to our defense industry with an aim to reduce the foreign trade deficit and to raise export levels. This is one of those industry sectors that is 90% export-oriented and we are certain that this year, though a critical one, can be good and successful and excellent for the defense industry manufacturers”, said Minister Sutanovac expressing his opinion that the fair visitors have much to see.

The Director of he Belgrade Fair Andjelko Trkovic stressed that this fair was different from other 40 fairs that are held a year. In his words, the fact that the first documents relating to Partner 2009 was signed two years ago, speaks volumes of the serious preparations undertaken.

This year’s fair is held from 2 to 5 June 2009 at the Belgrade Fair under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and the organizers are Belgrade Fair and Yugoimport SDPR.

Yugoimport acts as the integrator of leading Serbian factories of defense industry, and 6 companies of the same group will present the range of their defense products. Other institutes, repair institutes and other organizations in the defense system as well as home weapons producers, and arms trade companies, as numerous foreign partners will also present their capacities.

The foreign exhibitors include the Polish Bumar, the German Mehler Group, the French Thales, Danish Firexpress. The fair also features the accompanying expert program in the organization of MoD and SDPR and the commercial presentation of exhibitors.

The exhibiting products include infantry and artillery armaments and non-combat vehicles, armored cars and tanks, electronic reconnaissance, anti tank equipment, protection and procurement devices, military logistics, equipment for aircrafts and vessels, commando equipment and antiterrorist equipment, as well as ammunition and mines.