NAMEXPO'13 - India's maiden Naval and Maritime Exhibition begins

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

With an aim of showcasing the competency and capabilities of Indian naval
systems in maritime and coastal defence sector as well as providing business
opportunities for the domestic and global defence industries, 'NAMEXPO 2013 -
International Exposition & Conference' on India's Naval & Maritime sector kicked
off at the Cochin Port Trust premises in Cochin, Kerala on Monday.

The country's maiden naval & maritime expo was inaugurated with the
lighting of the lamp ceremony by K. Babu, Hon'ble Minister of Ports,
Fisheries, Excise, Govt of Kerala, V Adm Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command and Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai,
CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace along with other officials.

Dr. Pillai, who gave special address on the occasion, congratulated the
organisers for the commendable initiative taken in conducting such an exhibition
in Cochin - a first of its kind in India - which will highlight the country's growing
prospects in naval and maritime sector.

He pointed out that a strong synergy existed between the Indian Navy and
Indian defence industries as a great deal of the country's naval and maritime
requirements was being met through indigenisation.

"It is appropriate to showcase the naval systems and technologies and the
power of Indian navy in this exhibition. Particularly, conducting of this exhibition
at the Southern Naval Command is a welcoming step. DRDO and BrahMos take
pride in participating in this show with the display of their technologies and
systems," Dr. Pillai said.

"The expo will make the leading experts related to the sector of maritime
aware of the latest trends and techniques which will help in the expansion
and recent as well as future development of this sector,"he added.

Focusing on the key areas for Joint Ventures he said, "For the growth of
the Indian defence and aerospace industry, it is vital that the SMEs are
developed, promoted and encouraged to form the backbone of the industry.
To minimise imports, Indian manufacturers must be encouraged through
partnerships or joint ventures or technology collaboration with OEMs of
sub-systems, assemblies and components."

Dr. Pillai, during his speech, also brought forth the highly successful BrahMos
Joint Venture model which has borne fruits in a short span of time in a
highly complex field, fostering bridges between two different cultures/ countries.

Complementing the Indian Navy, CII and Cochin Port Trust, other dignitaries
on the dais also spoke volumes about this unique platform being presented
to the global as well as Indian industries to interact with officials from Indian
Navy, Government of Kerala, Indian Coast Guards, Ministry of Shipping,
Ministry of MSME, Shipyards and other stakeholders.

NAMEXPO 2013 promises to provide immense opportunities to Indian and
global companies to collaborate, co-develop and co-manufacture technologies
and products in India for both national and global markets.

The five-day grand event, organised by the Confederation of Indian
Industries (CII) in collaboration with Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the
Ministries of Shipping and micro, mini and small-scale industries, features
major global defence manufacturers, defence PSUs in India and joint
ventures like BrahMos, facilitating interaction between local players,
global majors and end-users.

NAMEXPO'13 begins at Cochin