Fully Fledged Boat Complex in Beruwala with a Seven Star Hotel, Museum, Marina & Aquarium under Evaluation

21st March 2011, www.dailynews.lk, By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The Fisheries Ministry has been in contact with potential investors to start building the proposed boat complex in Beruwala and evaluating the proposals at present. This complex will be built at a substantial investment, housing a seven star hotel, museum, marina and an aquarium and many more.

This would be a tourist promotion venue where high spenders could be attracted, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Managing Director Gamini B Herath told Daily News Business.

The Galle Port development will attract small yachts and will bring in more business from yacht community. With the easing of global recession, there will be substantial growth in this industry.

Sri Lanka should be ready with these services to capture market opportunities where countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore looking at new destinations.

The local boat building industry has been recording regular growth since 2008 while 2010 was an exceptional year for the industry earning an export revenue of Rs 7 billion. As the industry is performing well at present it is estimated that the 2011 revenue would surpass the 2010 figure.

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 are concentrating on capturing a bigger share, he said.

“We need to sustain the local boat building 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.

The industry will also focus on providing human resource training to the personnel of the Dubai Boat building industry.

The recently held Dubai Boat Show was beneficial to Sri Lanka as the country showcased its capabilities at a national pavilion for the first time. There was a lot of enthusiasm among the potential buyers and they showed keenness to source from our country, he said.

“We have yet to estimate how much orders could be secured through this boat show and hopefully expect a positive outcome. A few reputed manufacturers in Dubai mainly interested in super mega yatchs have sought possibilities to train their personnel through Sri Lankan experts. This is a rewarding opportunity for the local boat building industry,” he said.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Boat Building Sets a Target of Rs 8bn

• Sri Lanka Stages Boat Show 2010. 24th to 26th April 2010 Event Brings Together Buyers, Manufacturers and Industry Experts

• UAE Sri Lanka Trade to Expand with Unconventional Products at Dubai International Boat Show & Gulfood 2011

• Sri Lanka Boatyard Solas Marine Delivers Trawler for Africa. Plans to Supply Patrol Boats to Indian Navy