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The kindgdom's first International Boat Show is to be held at Amwaj Marina alongside the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The show, hosted by The UAE-based marine group, Knotika Holding, will run from April 21 to 25 and is expected to attract around 10,000 visitors and more than 100 local, regional and international exhibitors representing over 150 brands.
Farrokh Golchin, general manager of Knotika Holding, said: "We are expecting up to 60 boats on display covering all sizes from 10ft to 100ft.
The boats and companies which will be exhibiting in BBSI (Bahrain Boat Show International) 2009 are from Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Italy, UK, US and many others.
"The BBSI 2009, like all boat shows, is showcasing the marine industry as a whole and all the boats are for sale. Generally, great deals can be had as the dealers will have special promotions on offer.
"Apart from boats, there will be fishing equipment, boat engines, electronics and accessories on display.
"We are working with Team Pindar to have some presence at the show and Art Marine is one of the many exhibitors with eight boats on display."
The event which will take place in the luxurious waterside development will be showcasing Bahrain as an emerging leisure marine market in the GCC.
Mr Golchin added: "The marine industry in the Gulf has been one of the fastest growing markets globally with amazing infrastructure available throughout the GCC.
"There is a passion for the sea in this region which is making it a market to consider for the international marine industry.
"Currently over 50,000 leisure boats exist in the GCC.
"Amwaj Islands is one of the key waterfront projects in Bahrain and has a ready made world class marina which has been made available for BBSI 2009."
Wael Juju, chief executive of Knotika Holding, said: "This event will be the third in our series of boat shows that started with Kuwait in 2007 and Abu Dhabi in 2008. In January 2010, we will be hosting the Saudi Boat Show International in Jeddah. "
Timothy Leese, head of regional operations for Art Marine Bahrain, said: "We've identified Bahrain as the next growth market to tap into and have backed this with opening Art Marine Bahrain last January.
"Art Marine is delighted with the initiative shown by Knotika to host a boat show in Bahrain and further focus the leisure marine industries on this market.
"We'll be exhibiting at least eight boats, representing our key brands Azimut and Atlantis, at this boat show."
At the moment there are several waterfront property and marina projects in development in Bahrain all of which are due to be completed in the next five years.
The boating lifestyle is also said to be extremely popular in this region, which is located within one day's cruising distance from the UAE or Qatar, with easy access to Saudi Arabia.
