Lanka invests in fishing industry - Dr. Rajitha Senaratne

By Mohammed NAALIR

The Japanese industrialists are keen to invest in Sri Lanka's fisheries business. This follows the visit of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to Japan, on an invitation extended by the Consular General for Japan Sunil M. Gamage, to take part in the first year convention of Japan Sri Lanka Friendship, Cultural and Trade Centre (JSLFCTC).

Minister Senaratne held several rounds of talks with Japanese authorities and Ministers with a view to get assistance of Japanese Government to improve the fisheries industry and to expedite the implemented projects, Media Secretary D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa who accompanied Minister Senaratne told the Sunday Observer.

The JSLFCTC plays a great role in strengthening the bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Japan since its inception in 2011.

Eventhough the Minister's tour of Japan was scheduled to take part in the convention of it JSLFCTC, it focused attention to create awareness among Japanese industrialists of the opportunities for foreign investors available in Sri Lanka.

The Minister explained industrialists and investors in Japan of the present peaceful situation in Sri Lanka after the elimination of terrorism.

The Minister also explained about marine related tourism destinations in Sri Lanka.

The JSLFCTC also creates awareness among the industrialists and economists in Japan about the benefits of investing in Sri Lanka including the North and the East which prevailed as the ghost city before the elimination of LTTE.

It also endeavoured to arrange market opportunities to Sri Lankan products in the Japanese market.

Dr. Senaratne who was the Chief Guest at the convention of JSLFCTC delivered an oration under the theme "Development goals of Sri Lanka".

Minister Senaratne also participated in the Sinhala-Hindu new year festival organised by Sri Lankan expatriates in Japan.

Minister Senaratne during a discussion.

Minister Senaratne in discussion with Tuna King Kiyoshi Kimura.

Invitees

Japanese Fisheries Minister Michihico Karno.

The festival was held at Doho Park stadium in Ibaraqi. The Japanese Education, Cultural, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirano Hirofumi, Parliamentarians, Ibaraqi Municipal Council Mayor, Minister of Indigenous Medicine Salinda Dissanayake, Colombo National Hospital Acting Director Specialist Dr.Sujatha Senaratne and Sri Lankan High Commissioner for Japan Wasantha Karannagoda also took part.

During his speech Minister Senaratne recalled the timely help of Japan at critical junctures and expressed confidence that the Japanese Government will take part in the development of this country. Addressing the event Minister Senaratne said the Fisheries Ministry is working round the clock to achieve self-sufficiency in the fisheries sector.

During the visit Minister Senaratne also held discussion with Multinational trade giant and Kiyo-Mura Corporation Chairman, Japanese "Tuna King", Kiyoshi Kimura in Tokyo. Sri Lankan Consular General for Japan Sunil M. Gamage, Colombo National Hospital Acting Director Specialist Dr. Sujatha Senaratne and Media Secretary D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa were also present.

Minister Senaratne explained "Tuna King" Kimura about the positive environment in Sri Lanka for foreign investors, specially in the fisheries sector. Dr. Senaratne invited Kimura to fish in Sri Lankan waters on behalf of Sri Lankan Government using his giant multi day fishing vessels.

The Minister has also asked Kimura to teach modern fishing technology to our fishermen and to introduce Sashimi fish production system in Sri Lanka.

Minister Senaratne requested at Kimura to import the fish to his company, caught by Sri Lankan fishermen, Media Secretary who accompanied Minister Senaratne said.

Minister Senaratne also said that Sri Lanka welcomes the foreign investors and it is ready to provide sufficient infrastructure facilities at any time. Now Sri Lanka has turned into a safe destination for foreign investors. Prior to the elimination of LTTE two of the three parts of Sri Lankan waters was in the clutches of LTTE. As a result of elimination of LTTE, there is enough possibility to increase the fish harvest of this country and to eradicate malnutrition. The Japanese assistance will help to easily reach the goal of eradicating malnutrition.

Minister told Kimura that nearly 420,000 metric tons of fish were harvested in Sri Lanka last year.

The Minister expressed confidence that this number will increase resulting to the programs implemented to improve the fisheries industry.

There is enough fish in Sri Lankan waters. The fish harvest increased by 100,000 metric tons one year, the Ministry has worked out plans to further increase the quantity, Minister Senaratne told Kimura.

The fishermen in Thailand catch over 2 million metric tons of fish per year with the help of modern fishing technologies, Minister Senaratne pointed out.

There is enough yellow fin tunas in Sri Lankan waters. The provision of Japanese technology will help double the present fish harvest even beyond Thailand, Minister Senaratne said.

The Minister also invited Kimura to start a large scale fish processing industry in Sri Lanka and to introduce a Japanese style farming industry. It will help distribute fresh fish to consumers.

The Minister also sought the assistance of Kimura to open a Sashimi centre in Sri Lanka to teach Sri Lankan fish entrepreneurs about Sashimi technology. He also asked Kimura to set up a fish export industry based on international waters.

Tuna King Kimura who accepted the request of the Fisheries Minister, promised to visit Sri Lanka to have a thorough knowledge about marine resources with an intention to invest in Sri Lanka.

Kimura during the meeting has expressed consent to set up a Sashimi training centre in Sri Lanka for the sake of large number of processors and fishermen in Sri Lanka. "Tuna King" Kimura is ready to deploy his giant multi day fishing vessels to fish in Sri Lankan waters on behalf of the Government.

Kimura has promised Minister Senaratne to take all possible assistance to improve the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka. Kimura owns 54 giant fishing vessels; each has the capacity to harvest nearly 50 tons of fish per day. Over 1,877 metric tons of fish can be stored in those vessels.

Minister Dr. Senaratne also held discussions with Japanese Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirano Hirofumi. This meeting was held at the office of Consular General for Japan Sunil M. Gamage in Tokyo.

Minister Senaratne brought to the attention of Minister Hirofumi that Sri Lanka has become a popular destination in the region for foreign investors. As a close nation to Sri Lanka and following the preachings of the Buddha, Minister Senaratne stressed the necessity for the Japanese Government to take part in Sri Lanka's ongoing development projects.

During the discussion Minister Senaratne requested at Hirofumi to increase the number of scholarships granted to Sri Lankan students.

The Sri Lankan Minister asked the Japanese Minister to give a helping hand to strengthen Sri Lanka's fisheries industry.

Minister Senaratne brought to the attention of Japanese Fisheries Minister Hirofumi, the Idiri Dekma program implemented under the Mahinda Chinthana national development concept to provide all guidelines to improve the fisheries industry of this country.

Minister Senaratne requested at Hirofumi to increase the number of Japanese investments in Sri Lanka.

The Japanese Minister who listened to Minister Senaratne said that he will take all possible steps to assist Sri Lanka's development projects.

Sri Lankan Consular General in Japan Sunil M Gamage has been assigned to deal with this matter, the Media Secretary Rajapaksa said.

The convention of Japan Sri Lanka Friendship, Cultural and Trade Association was held at Joshiu Kaikan Conference Hall, in Tokyo. The Chief Guest Dr. Rajitha Senaratne while addressing the convention said that Japan is a gratitude paying country. It has proved it in several occasions.

Over 200 business tycoons who represented the Chamber of Commerce and Japan and Economic Federation were present at the convention.

Minister Senaratne said that the Japanese Government rendered timely assistance to Sri Lanka at critical moments.

The Minister while addressing the convention said that as a result of the elimination of LTTE, Sri Lanka recorded an 8.3 percent economic growth this year.

Sri Lanka yielded the ever biggest harvest of 480,000 metric tons of fish in 2011, the Minister told the gathering.

The fisheries industry alone contributed to 15.5 percent to the national economy. All parts of this country including the North and the East are being developed simultaneously using huge amount of money, the Minister said.

The Minister also invited the Japanese entrepreneurs to conduct business deals with Sri Lanka on major development projects.

The Japanese business community promised Minister Senaratne that a Japanese business delegation will arrive in Sri Lanka shortly.

Minister Senaratne also held discussions with Japanese Agriculture, Wild Resources and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Karno to boost the fisheries industry of this country.

Minister Senaratne explained about the victories achieved in the fisheries sector and the present state of fishing industry in Sri Lanka.

Minister Senaratne asked Japanese Fisheries Minister to provide technical training to Sri Lankan Fishermen and to increase export quota of fish for Japan.

The Minister also asked Japanese Minister to arrange joint venture opportunities with Japanese and Sri Lankan investment.

Pix: D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa, Media Secretary, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry