TEHRAN -- Iran's defense experts called on developing countries, Muslim states, in particular, to strengthen their defense cooperation and share their technology know-how among themselves so as not to be dependent on western countries.

A.M. Mojdehi, commerce deputy director of the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (AIIO), said that developing countries should be able to trust each other when it comes to technology transfer or sharing of know-how for the sake of mutual benefit.

"We can transfer all...technologies and training. We are not hiding anything," he told IRNA at the three-day "Defense Services Asia 2002" (DSA 2002 Exhibition and Conference) held in Kuala Lumpur.

Mojhedi cited the lack of information as an obstacle to better cooperation among developing countries.

He said that Iran is currently building a light training-cum-fighter aircraft. The project started some five years ago.

Pointing to Iran and the AIIO, Mojdehi said that the organization has already produced unmanned aircraft which are ready for export and along with passenger aircraft.

Iran Electronics Industries (IEI) Vice President for Business Development A. Vafaei said that there are developing countries which have made investments in certain aspects of defense technology.

Vafaei said that with more cooperation between developing countries in the defense industry, the cost of developing new technology would be less and joint investments can be made in the research and development field.

On Thursday, Malaysian defense minister Najib Razak visited the Iranian Pavilions sponsored by the Iranian Defense Ministry.

Najib said he was impressed with Iran's capacity to produce state-of-the-art defense equipment and civilian products especially those for use in unmanned aircraft.