Marcello Lippi will be among tomorrow’s guests
Mr D'Alema: "Enough with preconceptions against yachtsmen.
An agreement should be reached with companies for the development of the boating sector"
Mr Bianchi: "Innovation and design are the reasons for the success of the Italian industry"
Marcello Lippi will be among tomorrow's guests
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister,
Mr Massimo D'Alema, and the Minister for Transport,
Mr Alessandro Bianchi, officially opened Genoa forty-sixth International Boat Show, being held
at Fiera di Genova until Sunday 15 October, this morning.
The Italian Deputy Minister for Transport
Cesare De Piccoli, the President of Liguria
Regional Administration,
Claudio Burlando, Genoa Mayor
Giuseppe Pericu, and the Vice-President of Genoa Provincial Administration,
Paolo Tizzoni, attended the opening ceremony, besides, obviously,
Paolo Lombardi, Fiera di Genova S.p.A. Chairman, and
Anton F. Albertoni, UCINA Chairman.
The authorities reached the Show just after 9.30 a.m. under a light drizzle, on a motor patrol
boat of the Harbour Office – Coast Guard. They were welcomed by the guard of honour and
took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony which officially opened the Show.
The openingspeeches were then given in the Liguria Room of Fieracongressi.
Paolo Lombardi, who was the first to take the floor, thanked Genoa Port Authority for their
great commitment to the building of the New Marina, which was completed in only 18
months and has enabled Genoa International Boat Show to become the number one boat
show in the world. "The Show is more enjoyable, easier and even more pleasant to
visit, thanks to over eight kilometres of pathways overlooking the sea, and
combines technical completeness on the one hand and charm and atmosphere on the other",
said Mr Lombardi, making reference to the Show's new exhibition layout.
"The key to our success is to make room for a whole universe of companies, from small
craftsmen's boatyards to very large groups, leaders on international financial markets",
he explained, thanking UCINA for the work accomplished together. According to Mr
Lombardi, Fiera di Genova's forthcoming challenges will be the restoration of pavilion B on
the basis of Jean Nouvel's design, already approved, and the conversion of the ex-Ansaldo
building into a hotel.
UCINA's President, Anton F. Albertoni, focused on the figures of the boating industry, a
strategic sector for Italy's economy, with a € 4,500 million total turnover, a € 3 billion
contribution to the GDP, 18,000 directly employed, and the world leadership in the maxi
yacht sector confirmed for 2007 too.
In order to create and support a real Italian Boating System – stated the President of the
Italian boating industry – we need to develop synergies between the political and the
business worlds, to further support our companies on the international markets, to focus
even more on technological innovation and boost the domestic market also through nautical
tourism.
Over the last few days, our Government has been discussing the new budget. We call upon it
– concluded Mr Albertoni – to deal with the boating sector without any preconceptions,
misconceptions or stereotypes, focusing on concrete development projects, and we propose
to reach a real Agreement for Development".
Paolo Tizzoni highlighted two aspects Genoa provincial administration is particularly proud of:
"wharfs and skills", which make Genoa and its territory a reference for the Italy as a whole in
the maritime economy sector. Genoa provincial administration has three ongoing training
projects related to the sea: Genoa Merchant Navy Academy, which started operating last year
and is extremely successful; Santa Margherita Fishing Academy; and the creation of a schoolshipyard
for future boat builders, based in Lavagna.
Genoa Mayor, Giuseppe Pericu, who today opened the Boat Show (which he defined as "our
pride") for the ninth time, mentioned the various steps which, over the last few years,
allowed the Show to grow so much: the relocation of the Flower Market, previously located in
pavilion D, the building of the tensile structure, and the New Marina. "This are has become
part of the city port, and will become integral with the nearby ship repair district", he stated,
explaining how the newly-opened marina could be used in the future throughout the year for
maxi yachts.
Liguria regional president, Claudio Burlando, then took the floor, identifying a specific
objective to be pursued: "We need to make sure that the company that is going to manage
the new marina is established by next Boat Show, so that Genoa can become the reference
point for maxi yachts in the Mediterranean". Mr Burlando then stated that during his recent
mission in China the subject of boating was mentioned on several occasions.
"The boating industry is a huge industry and I do not understand why some political parties
which have their roots in industrial history sometimes attack it" he added, highlighting that
over the last ten years this sector has been devoted special attention by Italian institutions,
which "now consider it as a strategic sector for our country".
The Minister for Transport Alessandro Bianchi was extremely pleased to notice the very
positive trend that the boating industry is now going through as the sector "currently
generating more wealth for the country than any other maritime industry sector, with a
multiplying factor which for every Euro invested generates production amounting to 4.5
Euros", and which has not been affected by the international economic stalemate. This,
according to the Minister, stems from the quality, technological level and design of Italian
products.
As regards applicable regulations and standards, Mr Bianchi reminded the public that the
Boating Code approved by the previous government was a crucial step, while the future
implementation regulations will need to set higher safety standards for leisure boating,
chartering and diving. The Minister declared that it is also extremely important to complete
the harmonisation of the numerous laws passed over the last thirty years and currently
regulating this sector.
Simplifying the procedures required to register ships and boats, and renewing navigation
licences are the next steps required. As far as boat driving licences are concerned, Mr Bianchi
mentioned the possibility to allow disabled people to get a specific type of licence. To
conclude, talking about nautical tourism and chartering in particular, the Minister said that his
Ministry recently issued the Regulations defining and regulating pleasure boating professional
titles.
Opening speeches were concluded by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign
Affairs Massimo D'Alema, a passionate sailor himself, who visited Genoa Boat Show many
times both as an institutional representative and as a private citizen. "The fact that Italy will
be represented by three teams at next America's Cup is extremely positive", he had said as
soon as he reached the Show. At Fieracongressi Mr D'Alema wanted to "pay tribute" to this
"extraordinary event" which he has followed throughout its growth and development over the
years.
"This is an unmissable event for all professional operators in this sector, but also a real show
involving the large public, young people, and families; it has almost a pedagogical meaning",
he added, underlining how the Government is particularly "fond" of the boating sector
because of the latter's innovative capacity, and its commitment to research on materials and
solutions which have a direct impact on other sectors too (for instance the aviation industry).
The boating industry is a success story because it has always bet on quality and the "beauty"
of its products: "You have been growing at a Chinese pace" he said to the operators, "with
yearly growth rates of 7-8%, while Italy hardly records 1.5%".
The institutions' "friendly approach" towards the boating industry should continue, according
to Mr D'Alema, in minor events and initiatives too, with an eye at "constantly dialoguing with
yachtspeople and sailors: I am a ‘user' myself, and I know how important safety is, but I also
know that safety regulations and standards, if pushed to extremes, can sometimes be
vexatious" Debunking any preconception against pleasure boaters, the Deputy Prime Minister
concluded by confirming his own commitment to the strengthening of an Agreement for
Development for the leisure boating sector between companies and the Government,
as proposed by UCINA.
Tomorrow's events
Many events are scheduled for tomorrow,
Sunday 8 October.
At the Sea Theatre, in the Mondinvela area, at 10.30 a.m., the by-now traditional
presentation of Circolo Velico Ventotene's
Regatta Carthago dilecta est will be held. After
this presentation,
Alex Bellini and Alessandro Di Benedetto will tell about their
experiences. The former crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a rowing boat from Genoa to
Fortalesa (Brazil), the latter solo sailed from Yokohama to San Francisco on a mini-catamaran
below 6 metres, without stop and without support.
At 3.00 p.m. Bocconi School of Business Administration's Sailing Club will devote a meeting to
sailing and management. The day will be closed by the "Navigare Informati" Prize,
organised by Harbour Office - Coast Guard. Among others, the coach of the World Champion
Italian soccer team, Marcello Lippi, and TV conductor Tessa Gelisio, will be awarded the
prize.
Sports events at the Sea Stadium will start with the Italian Carabinieri police operation -
demonstration with helicopters and boats (11.00 a.m.) and the start of the Italian Endurance
Jet-Ski Championship. Those who love water sports will be able to follow the Coppa Liguria
rowing Regatta, the rescue operations with Newfoundland dogs organised by the Italian
Rescue Association, and the jet-ski performance organised by K38 Italia. Anyone who wants
to try sailing will certainly enjoy Try sailing, the sailing school organised by the Italian
Sailing Federation on centreboard boats and Federal optimists.
Thanks to the free trials "Navigar m'è dolce", every day the public will have available
sailing and motor boats to experience the emotion of sailing.
InformationFiera di Genova tel. +39.010.53911, e-mail:
fierage@fiera.ge.it,
www.salonenautico-online.itUCINA: tel. + 39 010 5769811, e-mail:
ucina@ucina.net ,
www.salonenauticogenova.itFiera di Genova Press Office
Tel +39 010 5391.206-211-250-262
e-mail :
press@fiera.ge.it ufficiostampa@fiera.ge.itUfficio Stampa UCINA
Tel +39,335 8308666
E-mail:
promotion@ucina.net
