‘Lanka ships 2% of world’s ornamental fish supply’
Sri Lanka now stakes more than two percent of a claim in the global
ornamental fish trade-annually. “Now we have more than two percent share
of global ornamental fish market which is around $ 340 Mn.
We are also now recognised as one of the best ornamental fish
suppliers to the international market” revealed Rishad Bathiudeen,
Minister of Industry and Commerce yesterday at the Export Development
Board on the Aquarama 2013 event in Singapore.
More than 300 competitors from 10 countries, submitting 1350 entries,
were taking part in the highly competitive Aquarama 2013 international
ornamental fishery event held in Singapore 28 May to 2 June. 17 Sri
Lankan firms, facilitated and sponsored by EDB, competing in the event
won 30 awards.
“That Sri Lanka has been placed as the second largest awards winner
in Asia’s biggest, international ornamental fish and accessories
exhibition Aquarama 2013 is a great achievement for this sector.
In the 2013 Singapore event we have won 30 awards and are in second
place, in comparison to Singapore which is the number one ornamental
fish exporting country, in the world” Minister Bathiudeen said and
added: “Therefore this is not only an honor for Sri Lanka but also an
important development for our ornamental fish industry.
EDB has sponsored 17 participants at this event and submitted 232
entries in various fish categories.
In the commendable 2012 budget proposals by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, provisions have been made to upgrade facilities of exporters
to increase the quality of fish exported from Sri Lanka.
This is another stepping stone, towards our $ 20 Bn export target, by
2020. The value of ornamental fish exports in 2012 stood at $ 7.52 Mn.
The major export markets, for our aquarium fish, are Japan, USA, UK,
Germany and France. We began ornamental fish exports in 1950’s.
We have more than two percent share of global ornamental fish market
which is annually around $ 340 Mn. I am pleased to say that now we are
recognized as one of the best ornamental fish suppliers to the
international market.”
Rohan Fernando, Co-President of Live Tropical Fish Exporters
Association, addressing the event, said: “The backbone of fish exports
are the fish breeders of this country. But exporters have been starving
without new species to breed and export.
Fortunately, the Aquarama event, promoted by EDB here, has come to
the rescue.” In the budget proposal 2012, provisions have been made to
set up/upgrade quarantine and withholding facilities of exporters to
increase the quality of fish exporting from Sri Lanka. The EDB IS the
implementing agency for the programme.
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