The Hindu Business Line : `Successful' Boat Show ends in Kochi

THE three-day India International Boat Show 2004, which attracted more than 60 exhibitors from India and abroad, concluded here today with serious trade enquiries worth Rs 70 crore from private as well as government agencies.

Mr T.O. Sooraj, State Tourism Director, said that there had been a 35 per cent increase in participation than last year, showcasing a whole range of products, including the latest in the boating technology and software. Serious trade enquiries worth Rs 70 crore, including Rs 10 crore from government agencies such as the navy, coast guard and police, were received. He also pointed out that 512 buyers had registered in the show and over 2,000 people visited the venue.

The tourism authorities aim to spawn a boating culture to imprint Kerala as a boating destination for enthusiasts, converting Kochi into an entry point to East and West Asia, he added.

Earlier, inaugurating the valedictory function, the State Fisheries Minister, Mr Dominic Presentation, said that his department is looking for buying new speedboats to deploy for rescue operations especially in the monsoon season.

However, due to financial constraints, the department is not in a position to place orders for new boats. At present, the Fisheries Department is depending on Navy, Coast Guard and private boat owners to conduct rescue operations in time of accidents at sea, he said.

Referring to houseboat operations in the backwaters, he said that local fishermen are quite apprehensive about houseboats being stationed in backwaters. The Minister requested the Kerala Tourism officials to conduct an evaluation study whether the environmental aspects are being contained in good manner.

Mr K.C.Venugopal, Tourism Minister, said on the occasion that the show for the third time in a row was a runaway success. About 65 exhibitors from India and other countries such as the UK, Holland, the US, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand participated and it attracted around 1,000-odd buyers.

Since its inception in 2002, IIBS has grown in stature, catalysing the growth of boating and marine industry in the country. The Minister hoped that the boat show, along with the international Marina coming up in Kochi, would galvanise the boating and yachting industry in India.

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