Thai canned fish factory to invest in Sri Lanka

Ridma Dissanayake

The largest canned fish factory in Thailand, Thai Union Manufacturing Company Ltd has agreed to invest in Sri Lanka, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Thai Union Manufacturing Company, a world famous canned fish factory, is to invest to establish a large scale canned fish factory in Sri Lanka.

Representatives from Thai Union Manufacturing are to come here by the end of June for a feasibility study, he said. " They hope to commence a large scale canned fish factory in Sri Lanka. It is to function as a joint endeavour between Sri Lanka and Thailand," the minister said.

Minister Senaratne invited the Thai Union Manufacturing Company to invest in Sri Lanka during an official tour to Thailand. Thai Union Manufacturing head Jinda Prontadawith agreed to the minister's request.

The Thai Union Manufacturing Company was established in 1977 as a manufacture and exporter of high quality canned tuna. Their high quality canned seafood products make strong presence across the continents from USA to EU, Japan, Canada, South America and Australia to New Zealand.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand General (Rtd) Shantha Kottegeda, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Dr Sayuru Samarasundara, Fisheries Ministry Media Secretary Narendra Rajapaksa, Thailand Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry Secretary and Fisheries Department Director Vimol Jantrarothai, Director Malani Simithreethi and Thailand Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poledage Worawoth were present at the discussions in Thailand.