Date: 26 July 2010
A stakeholders' meeting to discuss the problems, issues and challenges faced by the Malaysian marine leisure industry was held at the E&O Hotel in Penang on 26 July 2010. Hosted by Association of Marine Industries Malaysia (AMIM), the meeting was attended by marina operators, industry players in the boating industry, and officials from state and Federal agencies.
Following the 1st National Marine Industries Forum which MIMA co-organised with Malaysian Industry-Government High Technology (MIGHT) and in May 2010, a working group consisting of players in the marine leisure industry in Malaysia was set up to look into issues in the industry and coming up with recommendations to promote its growth and development. MIMA has been involved in the working group and has hosted several of its meetings.
Sailboats competing in Monsoon Cup, Malaysia's premiere boat race. Malaysia has the ingredients to become a major stopover in the region for boating enthusiasts
(Photo : http://pinkturtle2.wordpress.com/2008/08/11/4535/)
Nazery Khalid, Senior Fellow, represented MIMA at the meeting and presented his thoughts on 'Promoting Boat Financing in Malaysia'. Two other papers presented were by Mr. Oh Kean Shen of Pen Marine Sdn Bhd, a renowned yacht broker, on 'Attracting more yachts to visit Malaysia' and by Brendan Wright of Wavemaster Langkawi Yacht / Boustead Yachts on 'The viability and sustainability of marinas in Malaysia'.
Participants at the meeting in deep discussion
(Photo : Mohd Fairoz Rozali)
The meeting provided a platform for the key players in the industry to share their views and experience to promote and boost the growth of the industry. They also provided recommendations on how to attract the patronage of more boats to Malaysian marinas and to increase boat ownership among Malaysians. Representatives from Singapore Superyachts Association shared the critical success factors of the island nation in attracting luxury yachts to its shores.
The participants of the meeting were taken on a site visit to Tanjung City Marina which is managed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd. The marina, branded as Malaysia's first 'city marina', provides a unique proposition for boaters keen to savour the attractions and culinary delights of Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nazery Khalid (centre) on board of the boat owned by renowned sailor Dato' Azhar Mansor (right) at Tanjung City Marina, Penang
(Photo : Mohd Fairoz Rozali)
The meeting provided the working group with valuable suggestions and ideas to prepare a paper to be submitted to the Government to boost the growth of the marine leisure industry. It an be concluded from the meeting that although there are problems and challenges for the industry to overcome before the local marine leisure industry to realise its full potential, Malaysia certainly has the features and strengths to become a key 'marine playground' in the region.
Penang Town Hall, one of the many colonial buildings in Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
(Photo : http://mymountainadventures.blogspot.com)
On its part, MIMA will continue its commitment and support to promote the development of the marine leisure industry to boost its contribution to the nation's economic growth by providing policy options to the Government.
