INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Smooth Sailing for Keith: In a move to hedge against a softening construction market in California, the Costa Mesa-based Keith Cos. is raising its international profile.

Keith Cos. is bidding on design and engineering projects in Europe, Asia and Africa, but company officials say the most promising one is in Taiwan, where the government recently passed a law permitting private ownership of leisure boats. The law becomes effective later this year. For decades, the Taiwanese government has banned private boat ownership out of fear that it would encourage smuggling between Taiwan and its political foe, China.

“Taiwan has not allowed the private ownership of yachts and leisure boats until recently for national security,” said Roger Mobley, senior vice president. “Ironically, Taiwan is one of the major manufacturers of leisure boats in the world.”

With the new law, Mobley said the government foresees a need to build marinas and other facilities for recreational boaters.

Keith Cos. has already won a $75,000 contract to design the island nation’s largest private marina. It is now bidding to do engineering and design work for the project.