Cape Town-based boat-building company, Matrix Yachts, has sealed a R28-million deal with an international tourism company based in Havana, Cuba.
Owners Peter Wehrly and his wife Fiona were among 20 South Africa companies that exhibited their products and services at the 33rd Havana International Trade Fair in Cuba. Participation in the fair, which attracted companies from more than 70 countries, was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) with the aim of assisting local manufacturers to access the Cuban market.
“We finally managed to finalise the order for the two boats,” said Wehrly. “We had been working on the deal for four years and we are happy that we finally clinched it. However, there is still lot of work ahead in terms of raising funds to finance the deal. It was a struggle when we negotiated the deal but we are hoping that the SA government will come on board and assist us as it has reiterated its commitment to assist SA businesses to do business in Cuba and increase trade and investment between the two countries,” he said.
He added that the company planned to order two boats per year from Matrix Yachts until 2020 and three per year thereafter until 2030.
“Basically this is a huge order that can amount to more than half a billion rand, but the whole thing hinges on the funding issue,” said Wehrly who was assisted by the dti to exhibit in a boat show in South Korea in 2013 where his company also sold a boat.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape wine companies that also travelled to Cuba have been invited to return to the Caribbean island in order to exhibit their products at a tourism show that will take place in May next year.
