The Samira Mumbai International Boat Show 2009 closed Sunday after 4 days with higher attendance than previous shows despite the uncertain economic climate. Organizers and exhibitors both expressed satisfaction with the numbers and quality of visitors.
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.
"As organizers, we could not be happier. This confirms that the decision to go ahead with the show was a wise one. Cancelling the show would have been just what the terrorists would have wanted," said Daryl D'Silva from CMP, "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.
Another challenge faced by the show was the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks which threatened the show's cancellation. Another ironic outcome of the attacks was the crystallization of the need for a single voice of the Indian marine industry.
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. 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 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, after-market, information technology and infrastructure development.
Mumbai International Boat Show
Radhika Jhaveri
+ 91 99675 41914
[email protected]
www.mumbaiboatshow.com