Boat Show to boost tourism industry

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Boat Show Sri Lanka 2012, South Asia's most focused and largest international boat exhibition to be held at the BMICH from May 18-20 2012 will be of key value to the country's rapidly growing hospitality and tourism sector, event organisers told the media at the official logo and event launch held on Wednesday at the Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental.

It was held under the auspices of the Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Lanka (GTE) Ltd. and the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd, with Minister of Commerce and Industry Rishad Bathiudeen as the Chief Guest. Neil Fernando,Chairman, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute, Sujatha Weerakoon, Director General/SLEDB, Janaka Ratnayaka, Chairman and CEO of SLEDB, Asitha Seneviratna, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Gamini Herath, MD, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute were also present.

Speaking after unveiling the official logo of the Boat Show 2012, Minister Bathiudeen said that with the dawn of peace in the country under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the expansion in economy, especially in the tourism industry, has resulted in renewed interest in the leisure and pleasure boating sector.

The barriers to this sector are diminishing with all incentives and facilities being provided, encouraging the stakeholders and creating new employment opportunities, he said.

The 2012 Budget has provided the much needed relief to the export production sector and the boating industry also will reap the benefits, he said.

As tourist arrivals continue to increase steadily, Sri Lanka is looking to start the much needed marinas sought after by high net-worth tourists for marine leisure action.

A marina is a mini port for anchoring yachts and boats and is usually equipped with various boat related services. Marinas are built adjoining an already existing port/harbour or they could be located on their own, the Minister said.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has already set up an advisory committee for the boat building sector and has obtained fund allocations from the Treasury to conduct the feasibility study on setting up a dedicated boat park, he said.

"The export value of boats manufactured in Sri Lanka doubled in 2009 to $ 58m from $ 22m in 2008.

In 2010 the value of boat exports was $ 64m and up to August 2011 it has almost doubled reaching $ 124m which I believe is a very promising growth rate for any industry in the country", the Minister said. Sri Lanka's strategic location, highly trained workforce and low cost labour advantage also indicate that the country is equipped to become a reputed centre, if not a hub in itself, for boat manufacturing in the South Asian region soon. Sri Lanka also has one of the best natural harbours in the world and its historic Colombo Port is rated among the most economical ports which are other contributory factors in this direction, the Minister said.