Boost for ornamental fish exports from Aqua Asia 2007

Anjana Samarasinghe

EXPORTS: The ornamental fish exports have recorded a 30.7 percent growth last year bringing in USD 8.5 million to the country.

Director General of the Export Development Board (EDB) Sujatha Weerakone said the country has gained USD 8.5 million last year and it was USD 6.5 million in 2005.

The demand for ornamental fish has increased in existing markets as well as in new markets. EDB has identified this sector as an employment and foreign exchange generating segment, she said.

Aqua Asia 2007; an International ornamental fish, aquatic plants and accessories exhibition will be held from October 11 to 14 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre.

Aqua Asia 2007 will be organised by National Aquatic Development Authority (NAQDA), EDB together with the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS). Organisers expect to develop Aqua Asia 2007 as a regular international event. The official website of Aqua Asia was launched during the press conference.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Neomal Perera said Sri Lanka has a huge potential in supplying ornamental fish to the international market due to the healthy climate and quality fresh water the county has.

Director General of the NAQDA, Dr. D.Weerakoon said they expect to bring more foreign buyers and increase the competitiveness in the local market through this international exhibition.

At the moment Sri Lanka produced 4 percent for the international demand and NAQDA expects to increase this amount to 10 percent. Sri Lanka needs to focus more on breeding different varieties of ornamental fish to compete in the international market.

Organisers are targeting over 100 foreign buyers to the exhibition and hope to have an aggressive campaign through direct mail, telemarketing and electronic marketing to attract potential foreign buyers to the event.

Promotions are also made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The organisers have made arrangements to take foreign buyers to local ornamental fish breeding centres during the event to have clear exposure to the local industry.