Plans and preparations for the Langkawi International Boat Exhibition at Telaga Harbour Park this November are hotting up following a series of successful meetings held between the organizers SailAsia, event manager Pegasus and a number of companies during the recent Boat Asia event in Singapore and Sanctuary Cove in Australia. Bookings are flowing in with many of the premium stands already confirmed or reserved, as well as a number of on-water berths booked.


Sazli Kamal Basha (Right), General Manager, SailAsia, with Kooi-Lee Heard of Pegasus at the LIBEX Booth in Singapore.	Alastair Campbell (Right), Executive Director, SailAsia, with Mr Jack Chen, Chairman of Taiwan Yacht Industry Association in Australia.

General Manager of Sail Asia, Sazli Kamal Basha said, “We met with over 100 companies in Singapore and Australia and discussed their participation at LIBEX. This included some very productive meetings with local marine trade associations who are keen to help their members export into Malaysia’s upcoming marine market or establish joint ventures in Malaysia to service the region. We also briefed them on the range of attractive trade incentives that are available in Malaysia. Many of those discussions have resulted in positive leads for LIBEX.”

An official launch event scheduled for July will see a number of senior dignitaries and ‘high net worth’ individuals invited to meet with current and potential exhibitors, and promote the LIBEX event to this important sector of the market. As SailAsia’s Executive Chairman Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Shahabudin says, “Becoming a boat owner in Asia is the next natural step for successful entrepreneurs. They probably drive an expensive car, live in a nice house and wear an exclusive watch. By owning a boat, they can entertain clients or enjoy their leisure time with family and friends. It completes the picture.”

Down in Darwin, preparations for the start of the Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht Rally are gearing up in time for the technical briefing on 17th July. Interest in participating in the Rally has been so intense that the organizers have had to cap the number of entries at 100 boats. These range from the ‘baby’ of the fleet, the 25 foot Cool Change from Canada, skippered by Peter Bowman, up to the ‘giant’ of the pack, the 70 foot Silver Fern of New Zealand, with Bryce Sommerville at the helm. The Rally will take the yachts through some of the most idyllic and unspoiled spots in Indonesia, into Singapore and then up the West Coast of Malaysia to Langkawi.

After many weeks of relaxed cruising, some of the yachts, keen for a bout of more competitive sailing, are expected to sign up for the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta which departs from the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang on November 18th and ends in Langkawi five days later.

As all the boats arrive in Langkawi, exhibitors will be putting the finishing touches to their displays at LIBEX which runs from Friday 24th through to Monday 27th November. Yachts, powerboats, marine equipment, lifestyle solutions and more will be on display from companies from around the South East Asia region, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. There will also be a full programme of associated events and activities during the Show, including boating workshops, try-out sessions and other promotions.

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