Tri-hull fishing boats to be exported:

Cey-Nor boats to step up fish production

Harshini Perera

[Cey-Nor boats ]

* First Government Corporation to invest on foreign projects

* Loan scheme in collaboration with the Bank of Ceylon

* Boat building workshop in Trincomalee

The fish harvest can be improved by introducing quality products for the industry Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., Chairman, Diyanath Rohan Jayasinghe told Daily News Business. He said that Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., is in the process of producing quality products such as nylon fishing nets and particularly fibre-glass boats to make the industry more vibrant and increase production.

Since fishermen have adopted long-liner boats, the demand for fishing nets has reduced. Therefore, Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., has given priority to manufacture boats for the local and international markets.

Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., has captured the international market during a comparatively short period of time. “We have been manufacturing nylon-fishing nets at our factories in Lunuwila and Weerawila.

Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., received ISO 9001.2001 and 9001.2008 certification to manufacture nylon-fishing nets. When the demand for fishing nets reduced drastically we focused our attention towards manufacturing boats with Sri Lanka’s labour and skills. We tried to add value to our products with the helps of qualified engineers and staff who have over 50 years of experience, he said.

He said that they exported over 100 leisure boats in 2007 and 2008. At present, Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., is in the process of manufacturing tri-hull fishing boats (Sashimi) to be exported to Somalia. It has been designed with a dual-powered engine, a stable wind craft, economic craft and fast craft. There will be more opportunities for Sri Lankan boats after the Boat Show in April 2010. The cost to construct a boat in Sri Lanka is less than any other developed country and the standard is equal to a boat manufactured in developed countries.

He said that the Foundation received orders to construct boats for developing countries such as India, Madagaskar, Somalia, Ghana, Cameron, Mauritius, Reunion-Island and East African countries.

Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., has become the first Government Corporation to invest on overseas projects. The Foundation has signed a joint venture with a Bangladesh company and has acquired 40 percent of its shares. The company has already received an order from the USA for leisure boats.

“Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd,. a Government body has already supported fishermen in Sri Lanka with financial benefits. It introduced a loan scheme in collaboration with the Bank of Ceylon to purchase boats at concessionary interest rates. The boats are designed with modern equipment, design and technology to increase productivity.