Boost for fisheries industry

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry sign MoU with French company:

Ridma Dissanayake

Construction activities of all fisheries harbours, anchor lodges and fish landing centres which are essential to the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka will be completed by 2015, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister was addressing an MoU signing ceremony in Colombo recently. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry signed the MoU with a French institution called DPT Terrassement.

According to the MoU signed between the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry and DPT Terrassement, three fisheries harbours will be established in Silawathura and Gurunagar in the Northern Province and Gandara in the Southern Province.

The DPT Terrassement will commence construction activities of all the three fisheries harbours in the near future. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has taken measures along with the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC) to build fisheries harbours and develop fisheries harbours in the country. The assistance of the French institution DPT Terrassement should be highly appreciated, the minister said.

"We have planned to develop facilities and technology in the fisheries harbours and the industry. The government will increase the country's fish harvest. It is expected to make a vital contribution to the national economy through fish exports, Senaratne said.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Dr. D.M.R.B. Dissanayake and DPT Terrassement Company International Business Development Director Vincent Ladougne signed the MoU.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Sujatha Senaratne, French Ambassador Cristine Robinchon, Ministry's Director General H.M.B.C. Herath and other guests were present.