1:33 AM Fri 27 Feb 2009 GMT
Hailed by its organizers as a resounding success, despite unrest in the region, the pall of the November 2008 terror attacks and the downturn in the global economy, the Samira Mumbai International Boat Show 2009 closed last Sunday 22 February after 4 days with claims of figures higher than last year's.
While several of the Australian delegates who attended noticed that felt numbers were down, they were unanimous that visitors were high calibre and enthusiastic.
Barry Jenkins, from Marine Queensland and Sanctuary Cover International Boat Show, traveling as part of the Trade Queensland entourage, says his impressions of the second Mumbai Boat Show were favourable.
"The show seemed smaller than last year, but it was a good quality attendance," he observes. "Because of security concerns there was no on-water display this year, but there's no doubt there is great potential in India. The economy is growing at 6% per annum and there is great interest in boating. Once there's some investment in infrastructure, it will take off."
Brands including Haines Group and Riviera reported strong interest and positive feedback from the show.
Another milestone, which will prove the catalyst to the industry's growth said Jenkins, is the development of the country's first marina at Cochin (Kochi) "Final approval is pending, so once that gets the go-ahead, the recreational boating industry will begin to bubble," he adds.
As far as SCIBS is concerned, Jenkins said "there are at least 60 people - dealers, retailers and investors - who said they plan to come to Sanctuary Cove in May".
"Depending on numbers, they may travel as part of an official Trade Queensland delegation."
Organisers of the show confirmed their belief that despite the region's unrest and global financial crisis, the show should proceed.
"Canceling the show would have been just what the terrorists would have wanted," said Daryl D'Silva from CMP at the close of the show. 'We could not let that happen. This is the Indian 'never-say-die spirit' at its very best. In the face of the challenges of the global economic crisis, the annual growth of the Indian economy is expected to slow down this year to 7% which by global standards is extraordinary."
The show also served as the platform for the official launch of the Indian National recreational boating industry trade association under 'FICCI', The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
FICCI also announced the formation of the FICCI Indian Boating Forum, the first national trade association to promote the industry as its unified voice.
As part of the show, the newly formed FICCI Boating Forum sponsored an industry conference 'The Way Forward' which brought together international marine experts to join government and industry leaders focusing on the future of the Indian recreational boating industry.
Providing a significant endorsement for the future of the industry was the spectacular unveiling of Mahindra Odyssea's new 22ft and 33ft fibreglass power boats being built specifically for the Indian market and for Indian sea conditions.
Auto builder and market leader in multi-utility vehicles, the US$6.7 Billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India and a leader also in financial services, trade, retail and logistics, automotive components, aftermarket, information technology and infrastructure development.
As local pundits observe, though in its nascent stage of evolution, the Indian marine industry with around 100 players, has potential for growth.
Wilson D'Mello, Proprietor of Homeland Marine Industry, said: "The industry is growing and attracting many more players. It is so attractive that even corporate groups like Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are venturing into it."
'Our country's vast coastline and water bodies represent significant untapped potential for both water transport and marine based leisure activities," said Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra group. "Through our first endeavour, Mahindra Odyssea, we would not only like to contribute to the organized growth of the boat industry in India but also play a key role in developing Indian waterways."
"No one has taken the coastline seriously,' said D'Mello. "We have the big option of waterways which we have not utilized so far. It should be opened up and people given the options. For that what we require is basic infrastructure like jetties. If we provide the necessary infrastructure, we would be better off than Canada, where there are more boats than cars."
More at www.mumbaiboatshow.com
by Jeni Bone
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