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A record 1,000 companies are involved in the event this year [TBP]
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended the opening day of the 11th edition of the show, which has been taking place since 1993.
A record 1,000 companies are involved in the event this year, 277 of which are foreign corporations.
The first deal signed at this year’s event was between Sukhoi Corporation and UTair airlines for the delivery of six Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircrafts worth $217.2 million.
The maiden International Aviation Congress was held at MAKS on Tuesday where delegates discussed key issues of Russia’s aviation industry, including plans to create “the world’s third centre of aircraft engineering,” state participation in the development of the industry and challenges of the competitiveness in the aircraft industry.
MAKS is often compared to the Le Bourget Airshow in France and the Farnborough Airshow in Britain, however, the amount of deals signed at MAKS is significantly lower than the number signed at the events in the West.
MAKS also highlights extensive flight programme displays incorporating some of the best aerobatic groups in the country.
Two of the most prominent groups, Strizhy and Russkie Vityazi performed routines on the opening day of the show.
Russia is planning to sell $250 billion worth of aircrafts by 2025.
In July this year, Medvedev approved the Aviation Development Plan for 2013-2015 in an attempt to make the industry more competitive in the international market.
Russia is boosting investment in its civil aviation sector as the current growth in the aviation industry is largely attributed to its military sectors and exports to overseas partners.
Daria Chernyshova at MAKS 2013 in Moscow for The BRICS Post
