History of DSA, which takes place biennially, started in 1988. This year’s sixteenth installment marks the 30^th anniversary of this exhibition, which is widely recognized as one of the top five in its field in the world. The exhibition was held for the first time in the brand new Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre - MITEC. The exhibition area spanning 43 000 m², hosted 1500 companies from 60 countries and estimated 50 000 of trade visitors.

This year, the Czech pavilion of 218 m² showcased the sixteen Czech companies, such as Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (firearms), Sellier&Bellot (ammunition), Excalibur Army (system integrator, upgrades/overhaul of military vehicles, Meopta (military and civilian optics), Retia (radiolocation), MESIT Defence, MESIT Aerospace (cummunication systems for military vehicles, planes and helicopters), OMNIPOL (system integrator), ERA (passive flying object detection), AVEC Chem (air purification and breathing protection systems), Lemax (portable searchlights), LANEX (ropes), ORITEST (detection of chemicals), 4M Systems (tactical equipment), Optokon (ruggedized optical networking solutions) and Ray Service (electrical systems for armed forces and aerospace). Czech companies were represented by more than 40 delegates from the Czech Republic and their local representatives.

The Czech pavilion was visited by a multitude of notable officials from Malaysian, as well as other regional armed forces. The guests included as the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor, Malaysian Chief of Air Force Affendi bin Buang, Inspector General of Royal Malaysian Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun and Malaysian Deputy Chief of Army HJ Ahmad Hasbullah bin HJ Mohd Nawawi. Czech business people have also met with leading representatives of defence forces of Thailand, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and others. The Czech pavilion was also visited by the Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, who showed a vivid interest in the products of Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Kuala Lumpur supported the Czech participation at DSA 2018 by providing logistical support for the whole duration of their visit. Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Malaysia, Rudolf Hykl, hosted at the Residence a networking cocktail for the Czech participants, their local representatives and business partners, with more than 70 guests attending.

The Czech pavilion was financed from the Official Participations of the Czech Republic programme of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The keen interest of the Czech companies required more exhibition space to be purchased with the financial contribution of the CzechTrade agency.

Vojtěch Hromek

Embassy of the Czech Republic Kuala Lumpur