ASDA 17 opens in Split

Alongside the representatives of the organising firm and the exhibitors, the opening was attended by the President of the Republic Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces,the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, the Justice Minister  Ante Šprlje, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, the representatives of the ministries and other government administration bodies and defence and security institutions, the diplomatic and the military diplomatic corps. 
ASDA 17 is the fourth exhibition, organised biannually, the first one being held in Split in 2011. The Exhibition is organised by the U.S.-based TNT Production, under the auspices of the Government and with the support of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia..
ASDA 17 is gathering 63 domestic and 68 foreign exhibitors – manufacturers of weapons, equipment and other products and services in the defence and security sector from 22 countries.  Also, as many as 33 foreign military and state degations announced  their attendance.
The President underlined that the ASDA was organised as an exhibition indicating the  future relationships and synergy between the state and the private sector. “ASDA is organised through a  public-private partnership, the co-operation of businesses with the government bodies to realise the projects of recognised common interest“. Speaking of the prominent participation of the Croatian firms and companies, the President underlined that ASDA was a unique opportunity for them to presenting their products, whose quality stands up to competition at the global level.
The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said the previous exhibitions turned ASDA into a highly respectable business event,  a forum presenting new products and technologies and new trends in the military industry.The Minister expressed satisfaction over the attendance of the exhibitors and delegations  and praised the  production quality and the international reputation of the Croatian defence industry, stating that the innovative manufacturers would always enjoy partnership and support from the Croatian Government and the Ministry of Defence.
ASDA is also a place for dialogue, a spot of exchange of views  on the defence and security-related issues..ASDA 17 will have an important place in the joint efforts towards the global and state security“, said the Minister.
The Director of TNT Production Justin Webb extended appreciation to the Ministry of Defence for the continuous and warm support provided, and to the participants, and visitors coming from Europe and wider.
The Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County  Zlatko Ževrnja said ASDA was an important event for Split  and Croatia, and for entrepreneurs as well to meet, make contacts, exchange ideas and wrap up deals.
The Government commissioner for Split  Branka Ramljak expressed the conviction that ASDA grew into a traditional exhibition hosted by  Split and that the 17 event will surpass  the previous ones.
Following the formal opening, the delegations visited the exhibition space in the Spaladium arena hall and the demonstration of joint military-security capabilities of the members of the Croatian Navy, the Croatian Army, the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, the Specialf Forces Commands and for the first time the members of the U.S. Naval Air Forces (operating the F-16 aircraft and the MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters, which was conducted in the Barracks “Sveti Nikola“ in Split.  The „Croatian Air Force and Air Defence’s Aerobatic Team “Wings of Storm“  performed  a part of its flying programme.
On the margins of the Exhibition the Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and the representatives of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces will hold a series of bilateral meetings with the delegations of Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania, the United States of America, Israel, Kuvait and Azerbaijan.