KARACHI (PPI) - Preparation for 5th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, IDEAS 2008, to be held from November 24 to November 28 at Karachi Expo Center have taken a head start. Major General Muhammad Farooq, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Ministry of Defence Production while chairing the second steering committee meeting for IDEAS here Saturday, said, "From the overwhelming response of foreign exhibitors of IDEAS 2008, one can gauge the popularity of his mega event. It is heartening to note that more than 92 per cent space has already been booked." He further stated that this surge in response of foreign exhibitors could be attributed to the formal launch of IDEAS-2008 by the Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, during the "Soft Launch of IDEAS-2008" at Islamabad on May 23, 2008. That ceremony was attended by ambassadors/high commissioners, defence attaches and elite of corporate sector. DG DEPO urged upon the participants of the meeting, to ensure that IDEAS-2008 help create pleasant feelings and promote the image of Pakistan as a responsible and well-organised nation among foreign delegates, exhibitors and trade visitors. The meeting was attended by representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Interior Ministry, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Government of Sindh, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Central Board of Revenue, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh Police, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Pakistan Customs, Civil Aviation Authority, City District Government Karachi, Press Information Department and E-commerce Gateway - the event manager of the exhibition. During the meeting, departments responsible for various activities during IDEAS-2008 gave detailed presentation. It was reiterated that electronic and print media would be continuously informed about the traffic plans to cause minimum inconvenience to citizen of Karachi during the event. City District Government Karachi reassured that outlook of the city will be further uplifted during the event so that foreign delegates take a good impression of the city while visiting Karachi. All the representatives of the concerned departments assured full support for the success of the event in the national interest, which would promote the reputation of Pakistan in general and Karachi particular as a hospitable county and city. IDEAS plays an important role in showcasing the indigenously developed defence equipment and promoting defence exports of Pakistan. IDEAS is attended by a large number of high-level defence delegations, exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world.