"The Straits of Malacca, where more than 200 ships a day pass, is of considerable strategic importance, as it forms the main sea route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, safe navigation through the Straits is of critical importance to sustaining the economic vitality of countries around this region. Waterborne commerce demands not only up-to-date and accurate charting but also an effective means of delivering navigation products to the users. Recognising the high cost of data collection and management and product generation and dissemination, the need for cooperation amongst the countries of the region has never been greater. I look forward to IHOCE 2005 as an opportunity to explore and discuss possibilities for furthering this needed cooperation."

YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysia

"IHOCE 2005 will be able to create an environment in which States around this region will be able to provide adequate and timely data, products and services relating to hydrography and oceanography, and ensure their widest possible use. IHOCE 2005 is an appropriate platform to refine existing business relationships, create new partnerships, learn about the products and services from the industry and, lastly, show the hydrography and oceanography community how the major key industrial players have contributed to overall modernisation."

YB Dato' Dr. Jamaludin B. Dato' Mohd Jarjis
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia

"The forthcoming IHOCE 2005 will be an ideal forum for the hydrography and oceanography community to gather, interact and exchange views and ideas on matters related to maritime activities and future developments especially on hydrography and oceanography. I envisage IHOCE 2005 would further strengthen the cooperation and coordination of hydrographic and oceanographic activities amongst States around this region, thus fulfilling the need and aspiration closer towards good governance of the sea."

Admiral Dato' Sri Mohd Anwar Bin Haji Mohd Nor
Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy

"Incredible growth and development in the industry have resulted in numerous advances in the technology and skill sets associated with hydrography and oceanography. IHOCE 2005 will allow professionals and academics from the hydrographic and oceanographic community, as well as major industrial players from industries which develop these innovative products, to observe and to learn the latest developments in the state-of-the-art services available today."

Prof. Dr. Noraieni Haji Mokhtar
Panel of Experts, National Oceanographic Directorate