The 4th edition of the Korea International Boat Show 2011 will be held from June 8 to 12 for five days at Jeonggok Port in Hwaseong City and Tando Port in Ansan City. Hosted by Hwaseong and Ansan City and organized by KINTEX and KOTRA, the Korea International Boat show 2011 aims at establishing the foundation of the new growth by booming the marine leisure industry in the west coast.
In order to maximize west coast's strong points, Gyeonggi-do is propelling the west coast development plan, known as the Gold Coast project, which includes an industrial complex, new marinas with associated retail and support infrastructures. As part of the Gold Coast project, a total of 12 projects are under way in the area of 260 million m², which is 90 times the size of Yeouido.
At the core of the Gold Coast project, the Hwaseong Yacht Hub Project includes, the single-purpose leisure resort, complex services such as, resorts, hotels, convention and business centers, shopping malls, theatres, artificial beaches, parks, a marine museum and a sail training academy. By that, Hwaseong City will be able to have its own industries, such as equipment manufacturing, production, and marine services by 2020.
In addition, Gyeonggi-do plans to establish the Jeongok Marine Industrial Park by 2013. It is to be targeted to boat and yacht manufacturers and providers of related maintenance, distribution and storage services, R&D and training facilities and so on. In order to attract foreign investment, the government of Gyeonggi-do will carry various support systems, such as tax breaks. Jeongok Marine Industrial Park is intended to become the new capital of South Korea's marine activities as having global competitiveness.
Acquiring the membership from IFBSO
With previous experience, the boat show has steadily progressed in its goal of becoming the 'best international boat show in Asia' while drawing the public's attention to the marine leisure industry.
The organizers have been promoting the show on a more global scale by setting up the Korea Association of Marine Industry to enhance its link to other global marine-related organizations via, for instance, the cooperation with Shandong Province in China for marine leisure projects. It is also expected to acquire the membership from the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO). This membership will help KIBS gain international recognition as the 4th boat show in Asia and also see great promotional effect as well as draw foreign participants.
The Korea International Boat Show has already proved successful for the first three years and also secured world class marina facilities - the basic infrastructure for establishing the marine leisure industry.
Sizzling heat for participation
The Korea International Boat Show has become the most successful contest in Korea in a very short time. So far a total of 652 exhibiting companies will participate with 74 local companies and 105 foreign organizations.
The foreign companies are from China, America, Australia and Italy, which are considered advanced nations in the marine leisure industry. Due to high interest from the world, this year's event hall will cover an area of 11, 200 m².
An official from Gyeonggi-do said, "Inquires from domestic and foreign companies are flooded despite the marine leisure industry's is struggling from a world-wide economic slump. I am glad that the Korea International Boat Show, which will be placed for business has a bright future ahead. Since the entire world gives its attention to the show, we will do everything possible to make sure the perfect show is provided."
