EDB and BTI plans SL's first boat show

Local legislator Prof.G.L.Peiris says Sri Lanka has best opportunities in the boat manufacturing sector due to the high skilled and cheap labor.

He said the country has a great opportunity to be the centre for boat building in the region of South East Asia.

Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo he said the proposed Sri Lanka's first ever ‘Boat Show 2008’, which is planned to be held on 8th-10th June 2008 at BMICH will boost this sector and attract foreign buyers and the investors.

“The industry was champion by the European countries and to the high labour wages, shifted the manufacturing sites to East Europe in the recent past. However due to the ever rising labor cost, now they are focusing on South East Asia”. He said.

Speaking further he explained that traditionally Sri Lanka has been building boats, mainly for her fishing industry. Over the years there was also a structural shift from traditional one-day fishing in coastal areas to deep-sea fishing that required different types of boats for multi day use. Most of the fishing boats, currently manufactured with the use of fiberglass technology which is relatively new to the industry are of poor design, quality and in-board facilities.

Consultant of the Boat Training Institute [BTI] Nalin Atygalle said that some of the giants in the industry have mastered the technology with the assistance of foreign experts and their products are now well accepted in the world market.

Further he noted that approximately 50 large, medium and small scale boat manufactures are in operation and about 10 of them are exporting various boats to several countries in Europe and neighboring countries.

“Sri Lankan manufactures have already proven to world market that the quality and the timely delivery are possible with the latest technology being used to meet the international demand,” he explained.

He said that some leading manufactures are getting orders for special types of boats, where they cannot meet the demand. As a result, sub contracting industry has evolved and is been initiated as a backward integration.

Attygalle said that the hotel industry will benefit greatly from the show since the latest water sports and water related activities will be displayed by leading international and local traders. This will be a fine opportunity for the hotel trade to try out new areas to improve their entertainment selections.

Further Nalin noted that this exhibition will consist of approximately 150 trade stalls displaying and the Export Development Board (EDB) has invited buyer’s delegation from Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Norway, Germany, France, Italy, Middle East and other countries to visit the Boat Show with the assistance of the Sri Lanka missions in respective countries.