Alessandro Diomedi, managing director of Ferrettigroup Luxury Yachts Asia Pacific, a leading luxury boat maker in the world, said although relative infrastructures are still scarce in the mainland, more foreign companies are interested in tapping into the new market as pioneers.

The company itself has entered into the market through agents from Hong Kong about six years ago, he said, adding that they not only sell boats but also participate in construction of infrastructures in the mainland.

In big cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, some yacht clubs have been built or are under construction, he said.

The boat show, organized by the Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club,is held annually at the Hong Kong Gold Coast resort. This year's show attracted a number of new comers who exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time.

A representative from the club said the club has some members from the mainland and the show also attracted more mainland visitors after 1997.

Hong Kong has six yacht clubs up till now, located in Aberdeen,Clear Water Bay, Discovery Bay, Gold Coast and Pak Sha Wan respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2003)