Featuring 166 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories at 1,005 booths, this year’s edition is the biggest indoor event of its kind in Asia and tops the size of the inaugural show in 2014.
During the opening ceremony, ROC Vice President Wu Den-yih said the scale of the event reflects the success of government efforts in fostering cross-sector collaboration in Taiwan. The local yacht industry is the world’s fourth largest for craft 80-foot or above, and is set to scale new heights going forward, he added.
Echoing Wu’s remarks, Vice President-elect Chen Chien-jen said Kaohsiung is spearheading the local shipbuilding business. The port city is home to 19 of 35 national pleasure boat-makers, accounting for over 80 percent of total output and 90 percent of exports, he added.
According to organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the 4.5-hectare purpose-built KEC has put Kaohsiung on the map as a top destination for large-scale marine industry exhibitions in Asia. Based on the city’s reputation as a hub for yacht manufacturing and operations, TAITRA said it plans to build the metropolis into the most important for boat shows in the region.
A total of 63 luxury yachts from Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the U.K. is on display at the show. Ranging from 9 to 122 feet, the boats are inside the center and at Horizon City Marina, the first privately owned facility of its kind in Taiwan.
In addition, there are exhibitions on customized accessories, hardware and related technologies, as well as forums promoting maritime recreation and tourism.
TAITRA projects overall attendance to outstrip the 2014 record of 70,000, and sees the event as assisting Taiwan’s yacht industry in tapping a wider array of market opportunities in the Asian market. (YHC-JSM)
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