Sri Lanka’s boat building industry is making steady progress and exports are on the increase. The industry is expected to generate Rs eight billion revenue this year. The industry recorded Rs 6 billion in foreign
exchange last year and has made remarkable growth since 2008, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Managing Director Gamini B. Herath told Daily News Business.“The industry is focusing on new markets and will be looking at countries in the Gulf region and Africa, especially Nigeria and Djibouti. These are lucrative markets and we concentrate on capturing a bigger share,” he said.
The country targets Dubai International boat show scheduled to be held early next year to capture market opportunities. “We need to sustain our local boating industry as it plays a vital role in revenue generation. The market situation is improving and we are confident that better performance in the industry could be seen in coming years,” Herath said.
A Chinese investor is keen on investing in the proposed boating complex in Beruwela where the Government is currently accepting proposals from interested parties. The boating complex will be set up in Beruwela with an investment of US $ 30 million.
The complex will house a boat yard, boat exhibition centre, aquarium, marina, maritime museum, centre for boat building and technology training, children’s park and shopping centre. The country needs to have boat parks to facilitate boat operations.
There are no boat parks in the country except in the inlands. We need few boat parks immediately as demand for fisheries industry is increasing with the relaxation of restrictions.
It is also important to allow higher horse power engine boats for the industry development, Herath said.
The country is a major supplier of fishing vessels, passenger and rescue boats and ambulances for countries in the region such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Seychells and Maldives.
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