UK joins human rights abusers
Everybody who wants to be up-to-date in the arms business travelled to Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, last week. From 19-22 April the 12th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference DSA, the biggest arms fair in the Asian region and the fifth biggest in the world, took place in the city's Putra World Trade Centre.
Although not open to the public, it drew more than 26,000 visitors. Among them were delegates from countries like Burma, China, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe repressive regimes well known for consistently abusing human rights. As can be seen from the official VIP list
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, many of them were represented by the Minister of Defence and/or top-ranking officers. By sending Richard Paniguian, Head of UKTI DSO, the UK's arms sales promotion unit, Bob Ainsworth, Secretary of State for Defence, Sir David Richards, Chief of General Staff, Sir Paul Stephenson, Commissioner of the Met. Police and others the UK kept a high profile too. Aerospace Defence and Security, the British arms trade association, sees this arms fair as a excellent opportunity to "forge synergetic relationships and enhance existing partnerships".
Every two years arms companies from all over the world come together at the DSA to showcase their cutting-edge products for the army, navy and air force. With over 700 arms companies from more than 40 countries the event attracted more exhibitors than ever.
About 25 billion Malaysian Ringgit (over £5 billion) worth of deals, the highest amount since DSA began in 1988, were signed.
If you wonder what other arms fairs UKTI DSO has visited during the last months and where they are heading next, have a look at CAAT's arms fair calendar.
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