Nod for boating complex

Export earning tops Rs 4.5 billion:

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The boat building industry has become a major money spinner for the country.

The export value contributed by the boat building industry has doubled in 2009 to Rs 4.5 billion. It was Rs 2.24 billion in 2008.

The industry’s future looks bright. The country needs to participate in international boat shows as a marketing strategy to attract demand.

Boat manufacturers have opportunities in the leisure and commercial sectors to capture markets.

Sri Lanka needs to participate in reputed international boat shows and build buyer-seller linkages and business relationships.

Shows in countries such as London, Netherlands, Germany, USA and France are important in this regard.

A positive response has received from the Government to a proposal for a dedicated boating complex to house manufacturing units for export purposes.

An advisory committee on boat building and allied trade has been set up. Its proposal will be considered in the next budget, Advisory Committee Chairman Gamini B. Herath told the Daily News Business.

“We are in the process of locating a suitable land for this complex. We have identified Trincomalee and Beruwela.

A feasibility study will be conducted shortly at a cost of Rs 75 million,” Herath said.

The complex will be dedicated for boat building to fuel export growth. Local boats have a growing demand in the international market.

A boat exhibition venue and a centre for boating will be set up in Beruwela to have a marina to berth yachts.

This area will be developed for leisure boating. Many commercial activities are expected to take place. This will be a tourist attraction and also additional entertainment for the tourists.

“We are promoting the house boat concept to be popularized among tourists as a measure to provide accommodation as an extension facility.

This will also be an outing in the water,” Herath said.

The advisory committee on boating industry is currently conducting a study on the tariff and non-tariff barriers. They are working on this issue and expects to rationalize the process.

The industry hopes that the Government will relax the capacity of out- board motor engines as a development measure.

Boat Show Sri Lanka 2010

The Boat Show Sri Lanka 2010 organized by the Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Lanka will be held from April 24 to 26 at the BMICH Colombo.

The intention of the organizers is to provide a forum for all the related business sectors involved directly and indirectly with the boating industry to display and promote their respective sectors to their potential clients.

The sectors include suppliers of leisure, pleasure, industrial and commercial, fishing vessels, material, engines, interior fixtures, fittings, electrical and electronic devices, navigation equipment, onboard safety equipment, water sports gear and equipment, credit insurance, providers of service to industry such as investment promotion, marketing and export facilitation, repairs to boats hull, engines and other equipment and training providers in boat building, sailing, navigation and seamen training.