The second edition of Emirates Boat Show will showcase more than 100 luxury boats and several aspects of the marine lifestyle from 150 leading brands represented by exhibitors from 20 countries.

The five-day Emirates Boat Show 2009 opened yesterday (December 8) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) in Abu Dhabi.

“Abu Dhabi is witnessing an active era of exhibitions and conferences through the year which contributes to the growth in the economy and trade of the city,” said Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, who inaugurated the event.

“Adnec also has highly contributed to this growth through more than 100 local, regional and exhibitions activities hosted all through the year. The Emirates Boat Show 2009 is a live example of the international shows hosted by Adnec which comes in line with the emirate strategy to elevate the level of hosting such big event to international standards,” he added.

Mohammed Omar Abdullah also mentioned that the Emirates Boat Show 2009 has witnessed a great deal of development with the increase of visitors, participants and exhibitors which promotes Abu Dhabi as yachting and boating destination for both UAE locals and expatriates in the city.

Wael Juju, chief executive officer, Knotika Holding, organisers of the event, said: “With this inauguration Knotika Holding has set yet another milestone in the journey to creating a boating community in Abu Dhabi.

'This show will also promote the capital Abu Dhabi as a yachting destination especially that the city is still committed to developing the biggest number of berth marine’s in the world.”

Juju also emphasised the importance foreign investments in this show and the development Abu Dhabi has witnessed in the past years.

“More than 70% of the exhibitors are international exhibitors,” he said.

“This is an indication of the great interest Abu Dhabi has generated from foreign investors. With waterfront projects such as Yas Island, Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Islands Abu Dhabi has become an attraction for foreign investors in the boating and yachting industry.”

Malek Al Malek, the UAE team driver for the UIM F2 world championship, said: “We have seen recently a development in the water projects in Abu Dhabi and this show will help raise awareness about the importance of boating and yachting in the city. The UAE has achieved a number of goals in sports marine especially in participation in international events such as UIM F2 World Championship and promoting such exhibitions will help achieve more goals in the near future.” – TradeArabia News Service