"It was a promotional exhibition and it has achieved this aim successfully," Pakistan's navy Chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah told reporters Friday as the exhibition closed in this southern port city.

"Pakistan's defence industry has grown at a very rapid pace and we are moving even faster now in terms of defence production and promotion."

About three dozen countries also displayed a variety of weapons systems and equipment at the exhibition, "Ideas 2004 -- Arms for Peace", held amid tight security in a city which has seen a string of terrorist attacks this year.

Organisers said the exhibition, which attracted 160 foreign delegates, had provided a valuable opportunity for defence industries to interact.

President Pervez Musharraf, who opened the exhibition on Monday, said it provided a platform for Pakistani defence manufacturers to compete in the world market and enhance the country's defence exports.

"We are a very new player in the international defence market and with this exhibition we hope to expand our market," said Major General Syed Ali Hamid, who heads Pakistan's Defence Export Promotion Organisation.

"We have received a very good response, especially from African and Gulf countries," Hamid said.

Pakistan's military-run defence industry has been exporting arms and ammunition worth 100 million dollars annually to countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

On Thursday, a South African firm agreed to purchase four more trainer aircraft built by Pakistan when state-owned Pakistan Aeronautical Complex signed the sale contract for four Mashak 17-1 aircraft with Uni Group Holdings. The firm had delivered one Mashak to the South African company in August.

Pakistan's long-range nuclear capable ballistic missiles, Ghauri and Shaheen and the medium-range Hataf and Abdali were on display at the exhibition along with more modest weapons such as indigenous versions of the T59 tank, called Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar.

"Defence deals take longer, say, three to four years to be matured but this (exhibition) was an opportunity for the participants to introduce their defence equipment to potential buyers," General Hamid said.

Companies from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Italy were present to promote their products and sound out future deals.

"We are looking for the development of our relations with the (Pakistan) navy and more cooperation though this exhibition," said Bernard Lancelle, project director of DCN which has helped Pakistan build two Agosta 90-B submarines.

Delegates from China, an old ally of Pakistan, said they were happy to be part of the exhibition.

"We have good and deep cooperation with Pakistan and we are happy for coming to this show," said Ting Wei, an official from China's North Industries Corporation, dealing in tanks and armoured vehicles.

"We are looking for more cooperation between our country and Pakistan and this exhibition is a good opportunity for the participants in this regard," said fellow Chinese delegate Wang Yi, general manager of China National Electronics Imports and Export Corporation.

Karachi remained under tight security during the defence expo, causing traffic jams as roads leading to the site were closed for hours daily, stranding large numbers of commuters in the bustling city of 14 million people.

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