10 June 2014
South Africa will showcase its boat-manufacturing capabilities when five companies and an industry association exhibit their products at the popular Korea International Boat Show, starting in Goyang on Thursday.
Cruiser Cats, Matrix Yachts, Tru Yachts and Two Ocean Marine Manufacturing from the Western Cape, and Tag Yachts from the Eastern Cape, are attending the four-day show accompanied by a representative of the Marine Industry Association of South Africa.
Their participation was made possible through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) export marketing and investment assistance scheme. The companies will exhibit boat models, engines and engine systems, marine equipment and accessories in a national pavillion set up and managed by the DTI.
According to the DTI, the Korea International Boat Show is the third-largest boating expo in Asia after Dubai and China, with more than 30 000 people visiting stands representing 446 companies from around the world.
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said in a statement on Tuesday that the show presented an ideal platform to position South Africa’s boating industry and related offerings in the South Korean and Asian marine leisure markets.
He said the event would also enable the South African companies “to identify potential buyers, distributors and agents, as well learn more about prevailing market opportunities”.
South Korea has been the world’s leading ship-building nation for the past decade. According to the DTI, South African boat-building and associated exports to South Korea totalled R3-billion between 2008 to 2011. And between 2010 and 2011, exports of sail boats, including yachts and recreational vessels, increased by 15% to R770-million, while exports of tugs and pusher crafts increased from R11-million to R16-million.
“This year will be South Africa’s second participation in the show,” Davies said. “We are optimistic that it will go a long way towards consolidating South Africa’s image in the region as a world-renowned industry player in the boating market and achieve further market penetration into the region and beyond.”
SAinfo reporter