Organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs in collaboration with Kaohsiung City Government, the exhibition includes a variety of marine craft in 861 indoor booths and 20 marina berths.
A total of 168 firms are displaying their wares at the show in southern Taiwan, including boat accessories, maritime services, tourism packages and water sports equipment. The overall value of the exhibition is estimated at more than NT$7 billion (US$232.6 million).
The four-day event has attracted over 1,000 representatives from leading boat manufacturers worldwide. Some of these are Beneteau of France, Isara Yachts of the U.K., Malibu Boats of the U.S., and Suzuki, Toyota and Yamaha of Japan. In addition, the local representation of Bureau Veritas, a France-headquartered provider of global maritime inspection and certification services, is operating a booth.
Walter M. S. Yeh, executive vice president of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said the show is projected to spur direct and indirect industry output of NT$5 billion and NT$500 million, respectively.
According to ShowBoats International’s 2014 Global Order Book, Taiwan is the world’s sixth largest manufacturing country for yachts 80-foot or above, with 5,656 feet under construction in total.
A total of 80 percent of the nation’s yacht industry is based in Kaohsiung, with 90 percent of locally made yachts exports passing through its port annually. (YHC-JSM)
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