Boat Tech Asia to take place in Singapore in April 2007

Boat Tech Asia, the sister conference to the highly acclaimed Boat Tech China that successfully took place in Guangzhou in April 2006 (attended by 195 delegates from 20 countries) will run in Singapore, 23-24 April, 2007. The trade conference will be targeted at boat builders and boat equipment manufacturers who are looking for a cost-effective manufacturing base in the South and Southeast Asian arena and recognise the region’s mix of business attributes (lower business costs, low risk, good infrastructure and an educated workforce) which gives it the competitive edge. Boat Tech Asia and Boat Tech China will run biennially in alternating years.

Boat Tech Asia is conveniently sandwiched between Boat Asia (Singapore, 19-22 April, 2007), and Boat Thai (Bangkok, 27-29 April, 2007). Boat Tech Asia will be held at one of Asia’s latest marina developments, Sentosa Cove in Singapore.

“The birth of Boat Tech Asia is timely. Commercial boatbuilding has grown significantly and many want to diversify into recreational boatbuilding. Additionally, the domestic base of boat ownership has grown, attracting global boat brands to enter the regional market. Predictably, many of the global players are looking at building their brands in Asia to reduce their cost of manufacturing. Boat Tech Asia is a must-attend for serious industry players who want to network and gain knowledge of what can be done in the region,” said Oh Kean Shen, Managing Director, Pen Marine, Malaysia.

The countries of South and Southeast Asia are already the manufacturing base of a wide range of industries. While Singapore serves as an excellent regional equipment and services hub and centre of competence for the building of higher added value boats and Superyachts, other countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand offer cost-effective manufacturing of leisure boats. The advantage of competitive labour cost, low risk, good infrastructure and an educated workforce in the region result in cost-efficient manufacturing of boats and products that meet the highest standards in the world. Renowned brands manufactured in the region include Grand Banks, Eastbay & Aleutian, Mickelson Motoryachts, Rogers 46, the Farr range of yachts, the Mumm 30, Menken Maritiem, Yarmouth and Cromarty sailing yachts.

Manohar Khiatani, Director of Logistics and Transport, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said he was delighted that Boat Tech Asia event will be based in Singapore:

“The recreational boat building sector presents tremendous interest for Singapore. Besides GrandBanks which has a long-established manufacturing presence in Singapore, another global luxury yacht brandname – Sensation Yachts – recently announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facility in Singapore. We hope to attract more boat and equipment manufacturers to set up production as well as R&D activities here. Boat Tech Asia provides an ideal platform for industry players to network, seal deals and explore opportunities available in Singapore as well as the region. The Boat Tech Asia event will undoubtedly add diversity and sophistication to the vibrant marine and recreational boating industry in Singapore.”

The two-day trade conference presents in-depth insights into market analysis, statistics, legal and regulatory issues, intellectual property rights, recruiting and training of staff, building of Superyachts and country specific case studies. Senior government officials will be present to share their insights about local boatbuilding opportunities, possibilities on fabrication outsourcing and the current investment climate. Educational boatbuilding seminars will provide useful and valuable knowledge of new ready-to-use manufacturing techniques, designed to improve both business productivity and efficiency. In addition, there will be units on display, to showcase the latest boatbuilding equipment and products that are currently available on the market.

Site visits to local boat yards in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be conducted following the trade conference on 25 and 26 April, where boating enthusiasts will meet with local boatbuilding experts in Asia and gain first hand advice on how they can implement the boatbuilding technologies in their own boatyards.

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