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By Shirajiv Sirimane

The pearl exports industry is to get a major boost as Japanese entrepreneurs have shown a keen interest to aggressively promote pearl exports to Japan especially from Trincomalee.

Following the on-going peace process, divers in the East will be able to restart the pearl industry, mainly targeting the export market.

Leading Japanese importers and investors specially from Osaka, who are attending the FACETS Gem and Jewellery exhibition at the Colombo Hilton have shown a keen interest in this industry, a leading pearl exporter said.

The local pearl exports industry suffered a big blow when the war broke out in the North East. "This is because divers were not allowed to go to the deep sea for the past 20 years for security reasons," Chairman, Falcon International, M. J. M. Zurfick said. Zurfick has been doing business with Japan for over 25 years.

At present, the industry is popular in Negombo, Puttalam and also in the Southern coast. "But with the peace process, the North East sector which was not utilised for the industry for the past 20 years has opened again," he said.

A former motor racing champion he said that since this area was not tapped for a long period quality Pearls should be found in abundance.

"Japanese investors have realised this and they are very keen to start business there."

He said that several leading Pearl exporters in Osaka have already requested him to act as a mediator to strike a deal with the relevant authorities in this regard. Zurfick who is also a member of the Sri Lanka Japan Business Co-operation Committee said that the annual Osaka G-BOC 2002 exhibition scheduled to be conducted from October 21 to 23 would give an ideal opportunity to promote Sri Lanka's products especially in Japan.

"All major European buyers attend this event and in addition, over 250 Japanese leading business personalities attend this event."

"This year there are only three exhibitors from Sri Lanka. But I hope to take more than 50 Sri Lankan participants for this exhibition next year with the assistance of the National Chamber of Commerce, which has shown a keen interest in this exhibition."

Zurfick who is operating from Osaka said that he had made a suggestion to Minister G. L. Peiris urging him to open an office or outlet in Japan where all Sri Lanka's products can be displayed under one roof. "Other countries are doing this and it is high time for Sri Lanka too to follow this.''

A member of National Chamber of Exporters and International Chamber of Commerce, Zurfick said that Japan is very interested in Sri Lankan 'ready to eat spicy' products.

"Herbal products, tea, garments, gems and ornamental fish are the other areas of business which the Japanese market is interested in."

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