IDEAS-2024 set to return in November

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Trade and Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Thursday formally launched the 12th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS).

During the soft launch ceremony for the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar IDEAS-2024, held at local hotel in Islamabad, the minister said: “It is indeed a matter of great pleasure to see IDEAS gaining prominence with every passing year, over a period of 24 years”, according to a press release on Friday.

Upon arrival at the venue, the chief guest was received by Secretary Defence Production Lt Gen (r) Chiragh Haider HI(M) and Director General of the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) Maj Gen Asad Nawaz Khan HI(M).

The DG of DEPO, in his welcome address, said that IDEAS is a biannual event and the 12th edition of IDEAS is planned to be held at Karachi Expo Centre from November 19-22, 2024. He added that more than 90 per cent of the available space has already been booked by exhibitors from inland and abroad. Starting with participation of a modest strength of 65 international and local defence exhibitors in 2000, IDEAS grew with each new addition as the last two additions saw the participation of more than 530 defence exhibitors, including more than 300 plus international defence exhibitors from around 40 countries.

Today, it is regarded as an established engagement for the convergence of international defence exhibitors, delegates, security analysts and top-level policy planners. The soft launch ceremony was attended by federal secretaries, senior civil and military leadership, a large number of ambassadors, high commissioners, defence attaches of embassies, presidents of chambers of commerce, members of the business community, media personnel, event managers of IDEAS, and the CEO of Badar Expo.