Korea International Boat Show flourishes in second year

by British Marine Federation on 14 Jun 2009 The British Marine Federation (BMF) recently helped eleven UK companies to exhibit at the Korea International Boat Show, which took place from 3-7 June 2009 and welcomed an estimated 350,000 visitors; an outstanding achievement for a developing market.

The Show, which featured some 150 foreign exhibitors, ran alongside a number of rock music concerts and a World Match Racing Tour formulating a ‘marine festival’. The event took place three hours south west of the Capital, Seoul, and featured the only marina within the Capital’s region.

UK companies attending the Show were exposed to a visitor base from China, Japan and Singapore, as well as interested South Korean trade customers. Premier Shipping and Packing Ltd (PSP), Marine Electronic Services Ltd, Clements Engineering, Ocean Safety Ltd, Electro-Tec, Wolfson Unit MTIA, Topper International Ltd, Dixon Yacht Design, RS Sailboats, Fairline Boats Ltd and Princess Yachts International exhibited at the Show, whilst Dixon and Wolfson also took the opportunity to present at the Asia Boating Conference, which was hosted by BMF Vice President, Tim Coventry.

Andy Childs, Commercial Manager of Clements Engineering said: “Given the current economic global climate, it was really refreshing to visit Korea where the outlook is very positive and forward thinking. I believe that in the next five to 10 years we will see a whole new market open up, catering for the new wealth that the Korean public are experiencing and enjoying in their leisure time.”

The Show acts as part of a regional development in the leisure marine industry which has been pushed forward by the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Moon-soo. A marine industrial site is currently being developed in the vicinity of the Show site at a cost of USD477m and will provide a marina as well as service, production, leisure and tourism facilities.

Tom Chant, BMF International Development Manager said: “Anyone who visited the Show in 2008 will be stunned by the development of the site in such a short time. The format of a ‘marine festival’ really helped to bring in the masses and we were pleased to take along 11 UK companies to share the experience and contribute to the development of the marine industry in Korea.”

Riki Hooker, Sales Manager of RS Sailboats added: “It’s really exciting to be part of a project to provide an entire infrastructure of sailing to a nation. Korea is taking its plans for marine growth very seriously so we are delighted to have come away from the Show with a new dealer for our products. We are currently in the final stages of securing a large order with them.

“We are proud to feature amongst some of the world’s leading marine businesses who will provide Korea with a strong industry into the future – from dinghies to superyachts.”