The year 2010 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser and I congratulate you on this jubilee! Not only has the laser brought about a fundamental change in optics and enhanced our understanding of nature, but also has revolutionized technical capabilities of mankind.

Lasers are already widely applied, and every year sees new highly effective laser optical technologies appearing. They are implemented in material processing, technical measurements, data transmission, diagnostics and treatment of diseases, navigation, remote sensing, development of new materials etc. The scope of application of these technologies is very wide, covering virtually all fields of human activity, and it is a pleasure to know that our exhibition will be showcasing the whole spectrum of equipment and components which allow implementation of these technologies and techniques.

The Photonica Exhibition, held at Expocentre Fairgrounds, has already gained broad recognition and become the main platform facilitating interaction between Russian developers and users of the laser optical equipment, providing contacts with the Russian photonics industry for those who need is products, allowing studies of the Russian laser market and search for appropriate market niches. I hope that the 5th Photonica Exhibition (jubilee as well, by the way) will prove as useful and productive as all previous were and will enable the exhibitors and visitors to find new ways out of the crisis raging in Russia. I’m positive that the exhibition will suggest innovative solutions and will pave the way for new projects and broader cooperation.

As one of the organizers of Photonica’2010, the Laser Association has spared no effort to make the exposition rich and the programme of business-related events interesting, to attract the existing and prospect industry partners that are involved in modernization of the Russian economy.