Boating industry to maintain growth momentum
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
The boat building industry is looking forward to diversify its export
markets in a bid to sustain volumes and earnings.
"We will be looking at the Asian region for new market opportunities
while consolidating the existing European and other markets. As the
prevailing recession has negative impact on boat exports, we will
concentrate more on new markets," Boat Building Technology Improvement
Institute Managing Director Gamin B. Herath told Daily News Business.
The leisure and boat market is not doing well. However, there are
policy level interventions with other countries to develop the sector.
We are concentrating on local and neighboring markets for orders where
buoyant market is expected from Asia, he said. The proposed Marina at
Beruwala for the development of the boating
industry is still at the initial stages and the Ministries of
Fisheries and Industries are planning the building process. The sectoral
development also includes developing the harbours and assisting the
stakeholders.
"We have taken a number of initiatives to develop the local boating
industry and the market which will be implemented shortly. There will be
one or two mini boat shows next year to be conducted on water fronts.
One such event will be held in the water front at Diyawannawa to attract
local buyers, Herath said.
The boating industry recorded US $ 150 million foreign exchange for
last year and is confident that industry will be able to maintain the
growth momentum this year too.
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