Deals in excess of Dh16 million ($4.35 m) were concluded as 26 craft were sold during the 11th Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
"We are pleased with the response and the deals that were struck during the four-day event and the success of the event is even sweeter because it has been achieved against the backdrop of a conflict in the region which started on the very first day of the show," said DWTC director general, Mubarak bin Fahad. "This is a veritable statement about the pro-business nature of Dubai and easily the most appropriate example of the 'business as usual' message," Bin Fahad stressed. He noted that boat building was one of Dubai's oldest traditions and now the emirate and the region is gaining ground with higher ratios of pleasure craft per capita that has served to attract an increasing number of international exhibitors to the event as well as buyers from the neighbouring GCC countries as well as beyond. Some 129 exhibitors, 67 per cent of which were international exhibitors from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and the US participated at the event including boat and equipment manufacturers, designers, dealers, distributors, importers and exporters, and rental outlets among others. "All facets of the pleasure boat industry domestically and internationally, from producers of luxury craft to service providers were well represented at the event," said Shoaib Rahimi, international project manager of DIBS 2003. Gulf Craft had a huge presence at both the main event and the VIP Boat Show and commented positively about the show. "Despite the prevailing circumstances in the region, the success of the Dubai International Boat Show has by far surpassed our expectations," said Erwin Bamps, executive manager, Gulf Craft Inc. "The Dubai International Boat Show is an ideal platform to showcase some of our newly launched yachts and boats. We have signed several lucrative contracts. We were particularly impressed by the visitors at this year's show and we look forward to the next show."