Kuwait - The maritime centre of the Arab world

For hundreds of years the sea has been the way that Kuwaitis have gone out to trade with the world, dived for pearls, caught fish and today simply enjoyed the beauty and wonder of being afloat.

There are an estimated 30,000 sea going boats registered in Kuwait - nearly ten times as many as there are registered in Dubai for example and taking up an estimated 70% of the boat owning market across the Arab World.

With statistics like that it is little wonder that the Second Kuwait Boat Show International that opens on 29th April until the 3rd of May at Fahaheel Waterfront Al-Kout, is expecting record crowds and sales.

In Kuwait the sea is big business and the maritime industry is becoming an increasingly important part of the economy with many local distributors and manufacturers increasing their business and market share in recent years.

Marine companies in Kuwait now offer anything from the most powerful million-dollar speed boats and mega-yachts through to family boats priced from around $30,000 and fishing boats of different sizes and styles to support the Kuwaitis love of sea fishing.

With a long coastline and nine islands to explore, one of the challenges that Kuwait is now facing is securing sufficient berths and quality marina developments.

Al Kout, the venue for the Kuwait Boat Show International, is the newest marina development in the country offering international class infrastructure and facilities for boat owners.

Boat show organizer Wael Juju, CEO of Knotika Holding, said: "Kuwait is the most vibrant maritime market in the Arab World. Kuwaitis are highly knowledgeable and experienced boat owners who in the past have traveled across the region to find out about the latest boats and development in the marine industry.

"We are very proud that for the second year we can bring the very best maritime exhibits and boats to Kuwait and at such a wonderful location as Al Kout. An event of this size and stature will also be a significant boost to the growing marine sector here in Kuwait which includes a wide range of ancillary products and services and will benefit the extended regional industry as well".

The Al Kout Marina will host the event for the second year and is part of the much larger Madinat Al Fahaheel development that has created a diverse and vibrant centre for Fahaheel in the south of Kuwait.

The complex includes two shopping malls Al Kout and Al Manshar, office and residential towers, a 5-star Rotana Hotel, cafes and restaurants and a 1.6km waterfront.

Ahmed Al-Sarawi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Tamdeen Shopping Centers added: "For many Kuwaitis the opportunity to enjoy the sea and experience boating is very much a family experience. That is why, as the fastest growing family destination in Kuwait, we are very proud to be collaborating with Knotika Holding to put the maritime spotlight on our country for the second successive year".

Boat show organizers are hoping to exceed the $35m sales achieved during the 2007 show at which over 100 companies will be present to demonstrate their offering.

The show will be open from 4pm to 10pm every day and organizers hope to exceed the 10,000 visitors from 2007.

Knotika Holdings Wael Juju added: "Large and small, Kuwaitis love experiencing the sea both here in the Gulf and around the world. Many Kuwaitis are among the 30% of Arab super yachts owners and as the marine leisure industry is growing in this market and in the region, this figure is set to rise".