Jobs for over 500 from Jaffna sea food processing centre - Minister Devananda

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda who opened the Annai sea food processing factory at Pasaiyur, Jaffna said it had been made possible to provide employment to more than 300 people by opening the sea food processing factory.

"Another 500 could be absorbed on completion of the second phase of the factory shortly," he said.

The Sea Food Processing Factory is a joint venture of Annai Sea Food and an international company.

Prawns, lobsters and crabs are processed here under hygienic conditions in accordance to strict international standards and exported to Western countries and Japan where there is a big demand for sea food.

The minister said while the sea food factory provided employment to many young men and women, it also will prove to be beneficial to those engaged in the shrimp industry enabling them to obtain a higher price for their catch.

"This in turn will help uplift their living standard and bring foreign exchange to the country," he said.

The minister thanked Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and Annai Food Business venture for setting up the processing centre in Jaffna. Dr Senaratne said there was a big demand for sea food in Japan, America and in Western countries, especially for Sri Lankan sea food.

"As such, access to foreign markets for sea food was not a difficult task provided the quality of food met with international standard," he said. The minister said a large quantum of foreign exchange could be earned by exporting sea food.

The protection and development of the Sea Food Processing Factory was the responsibility of the Jaffna fishing community, Senaratne said.

Annai Sea Food Centre John Merry also spoke.