25.06.2013.

"Partner 2013" opens

First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Aleksandar Vucic opened the 6th International Fair of arms and military equipment "Partner 2013" in Belgrade Fair Hall 4, on which occasion Defence Minister said the intention of the Serbian Government and the Ministry of Defence was for our defense industry "to become a driving force in the development of industrial production and the entire Serbian economy."

- "Partner" is the meeting of significant scientific and economic subjects in the field of defense technologies, and an opportunity for domestic and foreign producers of arms and military equipment to establish new and enhance existing business and technical cooperation. This is also an excellent opportunity for guests and visitors of the fair to get familiar in a transparent way with the scientific research products and repair capacities of the country, said Minister Vucic while stressing that the Serbian government will continue to support and develop the competitiveness of the defense industry in order to secure emergence onto new markets.

Furthermore, as he said, "Partner 2013" was a good opportunity for professional members of the Serbian military to become familiar with the new results of the manufacturing institutions of the country and abroad.

- The ministry of defense is making significant efforts to increase the competitiveness of the Serbian defense industry so as to remain in existing positions, and to emerge onto new markets such as the markets of the European Union and NATO. We are proud of the position that we have in Africa, Asia and other continents. By organizing this event, the Republic of Serbia is sending a message that it wanted to contribute to the improvement of regional security and cooperation, and promote military and economic relations with all friendly and partner countries, as minister Vucic remarked, adding that the military industry employs and hires thousands of people in Serbia, so it is important for the management to be better in all factories and enterprises of defense industry.

Acting General Director of "Yugoimport - SPDR" Jugoslav Petkovic said that the company, which is known on the international scene as a dealer in arms and military equipment, will aim at positioning itself as a manufacturer of arms.

- Accordingly, at the end of last year the first phase of the factory of complex combat system was launched in Velika Plana, and in October other stages will be launched as well. This will ensure the opening of 200 new jobs and complete production of complex combat systems. He stressed that the Yugoimport SDPR had previously achieved several important goals – we returned to the markets where we had a history of good performance, such as the Libyan market.

- We have made new partners, especially in the UAE, where we signed a very important contract for our country. In markets where we are traditionally present we have improved our good business relationships, and over the next few months we will re-open our office in Iraq, Petkovic said, adding that the professionals with their effort and dedication managed to modernize and developed a new combat system, one of which was exhibited in the event - an armored vehicle "Lazar 2".

The Defence Minister, responding to questions from journalists, stressed the importance of weapons displayed at the fair - "Lazar 2", unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), radar systems and radiogoniometric systems.

- In the defense industry, we are able to keep up with world trends, and I hope that in the future we will make further progress in defense industry, because this year we plan to invest 75 million euros in it. I am proud of the fact that today representatives of embassies and defense industries from different countries have come. It serves to show that Serbia is still respected in the world and what chances it has in the next period, as minister Vucic noted.

The fair features 92 scientific research, development, repair and related institutions of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, the manufacturers of weapons and equipment from home and abroad, trade and representative companies.

The presence of the Ministry of Defence was organized in light of the unique anniversary - 160 years of military industry in Serbia, so the concept of the fair was adapted to it.

This important significant regional event founded in 2004. and is held once every two years. The sponsors of "Partners in 2013," are the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, co-organizer, "Yugoimport SDPR", and the executive organizer is Belgrade Fair.

The fair will be opened for visitors on 28 June, the fair is expected to surpass the previous fairs and thus confirm the growing capacity and market demand of Serbian defence industry and the countries of Southeast Europe as well as the need for their detailed and comprehensive presentation.