Fisheries Harbour Corporation to go for listing

Anjana SAMARASINGHE

LISTING: The Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC) is planning to become a listed company in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Chairman of the CFHC Asanga Abeyagoonasekera told Daily News that they have an initial idea to be listed under CSE.

But they have to expand their portfolio and increase their profits by venturing to other business segments before listing under the CSE.

‘We have identified that the local leisure sector is a great tool to expand our businesses. The Corporation already has entered into the eco- tourism market targeting both local and foreign tourists Abeyagoonasekera said.

‘At the moment CFHC has set up eco adventure activities for tourists in their harbours in Panadura, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa and Kirinda.

The Corporation has launched activities such as night fishing, boat rides, dolphin watching and diving in these harbours for tourists. Hikkaduwa, Mirissa and Kirinda are tourist-attracting locations in the country.

The Bolgoda Lake in Panadura is also another popular location specially among local tourists he said.

“We recently launched these activities and there is a good response from both local and foreign tourists. Now some hoteliers are keen on joining with CFHC to include these services in their packages he said.

“However the Corporation expects to coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism to promote these eco adventure activities among tourists who come to Sri Lanka and give much exposure for these services.

“CFHC is also targeting major hotels in the country to promote their services. This will be the initial stage of entering to the leisure sector and next phase will be developing marinas at fishery harbours and attracting foreign yachts to the country.

CFHC is also focusing on developing a marine museum down south targeting local and foreign tourists.