BRIEF FOR CGS ON HOLDING OF DEF EXPO AT SAUDI ARABIA IN

COLABORATION WITH PSJCC&I

1.

Back Gr,

President of

Pak Saudi Jt Chamber of Commerce & Industry

(PSJCC&I), Mian Mehmood proposed the def expo in KSA in a ltr to DEPO on 11 Sep 14
(copy att) and called on DG DEPO on 28 Oct 2014. Later while analyzing the proposal
DEPO asked verbally to share the names of its board members both Saudi and Pakistani
but after initially refusing to do so, PSJCCI later on, fwd a list of its board members with
ten Pakistanis and one Saudi whose antecedents are still unknown; Subsequently Mian
Mehmood started approaching other relevant auths incl army and in this regard GHQ, MO
Dte asked the comments of DEPO on 30 Mar 2015 (copy att). In which it was intimated by
DEPO that subj proposal is already under consideration in the MoDP/ DEPO and when
the proposal is crystallized, all concerned stakeholders will be taken on bd on need to
know / interact basis. Recently, DG DEPO was contacted by VCGS (A) and info that
President PSJCCI had written a ltr to COAS requesting to meet him to discuss the def
expo in KSA and sought the patronage of COAS. In this regard DG DEPO had a meeting
with CGS on 24th Aug 15. It was decided that Mian Mehmood will be asked to meet DG
DEPO and present his plans regarding def expo in KSA and than DEPO will eval the
proposal and discuss it with CGS on 9 Sep2014. However, so far PSJCCI has not
contacted DEPO in this regard.
2.

About PSJCCI. DEPO has copy of MoC ltr signed by Min for Commerce to our

Ambassador at Saudi Arabia (dated 16 Jan 2015) requesting for every possible
cooperation to PSJCC&I in Riyadh to facilitate any such jt venture or effort by PSJCC&I.
MoU has also been signed b/w two Chambers of Commerce. Long standing formal JointMinisterial Eco Dialogue is also being held regularly. MoC has also gtd license in Nov 13
for five yrs to PSJCC&I, to represent Pakistans trade, commerce, industry or svc or any
combination thereof, on all Pak basis. Moreover, Cert of Incorporation under the coys ord

has also been given to PSJCC&I by Securities and Exchange Commission of Pak on
Jun14.
3.

Proposal of PSJCC&I. During the meeting in DEPO President PSJCCI proposed

fol:a.
4.

mention the details of proposal, Flag D

PSJCCI Presentation at DEPO.

As a sequel to DG DEPOs a/m meeting with

CGS it was decided that PSJCCI will be asked by GHQ MO Dte to apch DEPO and
present their proposal of def expo in KSA. DEPO was apch by PSJCCI on ------ and it was
asked to deliver the presentation on --------. During the presentation PSJCCI was asked to
elaborate on fol aspects and their response was found wanting on account of fol imp
aspects related to org a def expo:-

5.

a.

Lack of Experience of Org Def Expos.

b.

Insufficient Contacts in Saudi Govt/Royal family.

c.

Financial Model

d.

Log Aspects of Def Expo

e.

Lack of Rapport with Pub and Pte Sec

f.

Recommended Role of PSJCCI in Def Expo

g.

Views of Embassy of Pakistan and Def Wing and SPAFO on PSJCCI

Comments. The proposal of PSJCCI was eval and the views of DEPO were

shared with MoDP and JSHQ on ---------- (copy att). MoDP is also in favour of such an
initiative through DEPO as DEPO has the expertise of over 15 yrs in this fd by conducting
IDEAS and estb Pakistan Pavilions in foreign exhibitions around the globe. Following
aspects merit consideration:a.

Current Regional Envmt for Def Expo in KSA.

The prevailing envmt

in the back gr of ongoing conflict in the Gulf region needs careful eval of
regional sit and own national interests before taking decision on the subj

proposal. However, once the decision is taken to org the def expo in KSA
then DEPO will org it in a befitting manner.
b.

In put from SAFO Pak / DA Saudi Arabia.

Own Defence Attach was

also contacted on the subject, who informed that there is no such proposal
ever discussed in any forum by Saudi Government nor it was taken up from
Pakistani Government. Which indicates that as of now, its only Pak who is
taking subject initiative without any prior knowledge of Saudi Government.
c.

DEPOs ROLE in Org Def Expo in KSA.

DEPO being a tri svcs org

under the MoDP has the req experience of org IDEAS since 2000 and is
most suitable org for org def expo in KSA. The inauguration of DEPO
Display Centre on 6 Oct 2015 and Seminar on Pub Pte Partnership in
Defence Production and Export- challenges and way forward in Dec 2015
will facilitate DEPO to consolidate the rapport with pub and pte sec, esp the
sponsorship issues which will be optimally utilized while org def expo in KSA
and even other single cty exhibitions by Pakistan. All stakeholders will be
taken onboard incl relevant orgs both in pub and pte sec.
d.

Role of PSJCCI.

PSJCCI is a business forum and is not considered

mature to conduct the def expo in KSA. Our mature presence in KSA like
Embassy of Pakistan in KSA, Def Wing and SPAFO are most suited to asst
DEPO for org def expo in KSA. These will also be consulted to optimize their
years long potential. Likely sp role of PSJCCI will encompass its contacts
esp with Royal Family in KSA which has significant hold in all the fields esp
def procurement and foreign policy, attracting sponsors, any other aspect in
tandem with our diplomatic presence in KSA. Other related roles can be:(1)

Asst in generating funds

(2)

Focus on def related exports alone, since they represent pte sec and

avoid using the forum for facilitating own pte business interests.
e.

Role of Svcs.

JSHQ and three svcs will be asked for details of exhibits

to incl wpns and eqpt , trg packages etc for display in the exhibition. Espec
meetings and sideline confs will be arranged with concerned branches of all
three svcs to ascertain the reqs of Saudi forces to market our cap. Moreover
PAF sp will be required for tn of DEPO staff and other related luggage
needed to KSA, as being done for the same for IDEAS.
f.

Asst from Saudi Govt.

Saudi govt will be requested for fol asst:-

(1)

Provision of Exhibition Halls/ space on gratis basis.

(2)

Free temp import/export of exhibits.

(3)

Facilitation for Saudi sponsors

(4)

Fast track visa processing for vendors and req labour.

(5)

Provision of on spot booking of orders/ signing of MOUs by their

respective departments.

g.

Likely Timeframe of Exhibition. Considering the cmts of DEPO esp related

to IDEAS 2016 (22-25 Nov 2016) and participation in def exhibitions abroad
in 2015/2016 the likely timeframe for expo in KSA is as under :-

h.

(1)

Option 1.

Last week May 2016.

(2)

Option 2.

Last week Mar 2016

(3)

Option 3

First week Apr 2016

Financial Aspects. Details will be worked out and presented later. Efforts
will be made to get suitable sponsors thus reducing burden on govt and the
potential of PSJCCI will also be utilized in this regard.

i.

Broad Stages of Planning Def Expo in KSA

(1)

Preliminary Stage. Principal decision about def expo, processing for

obtaining approval, finalization of date, alloc of funds, advance info to
Embassy of Pakistan, defence Wing and SPAFO in KSA.

(2)

Stage 1.

Visit to KSA by DEPO team, Event Manager, PSJCCI.

(3)

Stage 2

Presentation of plan of def expo in KSA and discussion

with all stakeholders to incl MoDP, JSHQ, svc HQs, DPEs (HIT, POF,
PAEC, KS&EW, NRTC etc), chambers of commerce and pte sec.

9.

(4)

Stage 3.

Govt approval and alloc of funds.

(5)

Stage 4.

Conduct of def expo in KSA.

(6)

Stage 5.

Fol up of def expo by respective orgs

Recommendations
a.

Policy decision to org the def expo in KSA be taken at pri while considering
all stakeholders and DEPO be provided the nec asst to org the def expo in
KSA.

b.

Although Expo KSA is already under consideration at official lvl especially in

MoDP but still formal govt approval is must through MoDP before moving
ahead with the proposal, so that army and govt offices are in sync on the
subj.

b.

Once decided to org it in 2016 than a delegation headed by DEPO to incl

Event Manager and rep PSJCCI may visit KSA in Dec 2015 after the
Seminar and carryout nec prep.

c.

Recommended Dates.

Last week of May 16 .i.e. from 21 23 May, is the

appropriate window in near future. As after that, preparations of IDEAS will

be in full swing and DEPO will be involved in series of activities related to
IDEAS and cannot afford to get distracted from IDEAS-2016.