KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the City of Kaohsiung, May 8, 2014 marked the beginning of Taiwan’s new era of ocean. Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu and Minister without Portfolio Yang Chiu-hsing called on the active development of the yacht industry when jointly presiding over the opening of the 2014 Taiwan International Boat Show at Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. Co-organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affair and the Kaohsiung City Government, the exhibition was implemented by Taiwan External Trade Development Council and assisted by Taiwan Yacht Industry Association.
Mayor Chen said Taiwan has become the largest yacht manufacturing country In Asia after developing its yacht industry for over four decades, with 80% of the yacht industry being concentrated in Kaohsiung and more than 90% of exported yachts being transported from Port of Kaohsiung. So, Kaohsiung can be said the breeding and developing ground of Taiwan’s yacht industry, which has created NT$5 billion worth of annual business opportunities. The total length of mega yachts longer than 80 feet sold by Taiwan in 2013 ranked first in Asia and sixth in the world, which is the glory of Taiwan and the pride of Kaohsiung.
The mayor pointed out that to strengthen the yacht industry and expand the yacht market, the Kaohsiung City Government, in cooperation with the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan Yacht Industry Association, successfully won the bid to host the 2014 Taiwan International Boat Show at Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, a newly completed landmark in southern Taiwan. In addition, yacht manufacturers have jointly built a yacht marina behind the exhibition center, highlighting the image of Kaohsiung as a kingdom of yacht. Combining with preferential transportation, accommodation and dining offers during the boat show, the exhibition is projected to create NT$5 billion worth of opportunities for peripheral businesses.
Minister Yang indicated that he had actively promoted the legislation concerning yachts when serving as the magistrate of the Kaohsiung County, which is now merged with Kaohsiung City to become a metropolis, and the Taiwan International Boat Show is a milestone as the yacht industry in the harbor city moves forward in great stride. He will strive to exclude yachts and boats from items covered by the luxury tax so as to create more job opportunities for the yacht industry.
