High export income from ornamental fish exports

Anjana SAMARASINGHE

Despite the current global crisis in major export markets, local ornamental fish export recorded Rs 903 million exports earnings this year.

Secretary of Association of Live Tropical Fish Exporters of Sri Lanka S.H.S. Akbar said they are planning to increase total earnings through this sector by 5 per cent within three years. However there is a 40 per cent decline in ornamental fish exports during the first six months due to the global economic crisis.

“Our major export markets are USA, Japan and European Union. East block of Europe, South and Central America are some of the potential markets for Sri Lanka. Lufthansa is the only carrier that we can accommodate our exports to these destinations,” he said.

“There are no direct flights and we need to send these items as transit cargo to Middle East destinations. Exporters send their goods to these destinations through SriLankan Airlines.

“Ornamental fish exporters spend a large amount of money for cargo space and we would like to request from the national carrier to give priority for perishable items such as ornamental fish when allocating cargo space,” he said.

During the season it is difficult to find cargo space for our items and we have noticed priority is given for transit cargo when it comes from other countries. “When we delay shipments it will badly impact on the quality of the ornamental fish. Giving priority for ornamental fish exports at the air cargo is important for the development of this industry,” he said.

“Though there is a dedicated terminal for air cargo such as perishable items at the BIA, it has not commenced operations still.

“We request the authorities to make arrangements to commence operations of this terminal and facilitate this business,” he said.