A great take-off of the 19th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO

A few hundred people were present at the trade fair gala opening ceremony – the most prominent representatives of Polish Army, national administration, Members of Parliament and Senators, a few dozens foreign delegations form national defence ministries, exhibitors and trade fair guests and visitors. The ceremony guests of honour were – the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland Tomasz Siemoniuk, Foreign Affairs Minister of RP Radosław Sikorski, the Head of National Security Bureau Stanisław Koziej and Chief Executive of Europeans Defence Agency Mrs Claude-France Arnold Kielce Mayor Wojciech Lubawski.

In his inaugural speech Tomasz Siemoniak highlighted the positive changes the Defence Industry Exhibition has undergone since he visited Kielce 11 year before – My congratulations - MSPO has strengthened its position and I am proud to say thaht this is the greatest event of this kind in Central Europe. It can be compared to the Paris and London exhibitions. MSPO has been developing and thus it gives the chance for the companies to be in touch with the Armed Forces as well as the national level administration representatives from numerous countries. Undoubtedly this is the best way to promote Polish defence industry on the international arena. This year’s MSPO is marked by Polish presidency in European Union and this is why the Ministry of National Defence in collaboration with the European Defence Industry organise a special seminar on security of supplies – said Minsiter Siemoniak.

Minister Sikorski, who had last visited MSPO in 2006 recapitulated – The market offers a lot of incentives to realize the European as well as NATO projects. I want to assure you that Polish diplomacy will be fully engaged in support for Polish defence industry sector abroad.

Targi Kielce President of Board Andrzej Mochoń, was presented the with the congratulations letter from the President of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski brought by Stanisłąw Koziej, the Head of the National Security Bureau – There is no need to persuade anybody, and in particular the people gathered here in Kielce, how important is the defence industry sector. MSPO is the best place to promote Polish equipment and technologies; it is also the demonstration of the foreign capabilities. It has been a long establish tradition for the companies gathered at MSPO to compete for the President of Poland award for the best trade fair product which facilitates the soldiers’ safety.

19th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO, after the period of a slow down, has recovered and returned to its previous prestige and glamour. Targi Kielce is the showcase for 400, most important defence industry market players from 20 countries from all corners of the world. The exhibition will also host over 30 foreign delegations – the representatives of the defence ministries.