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| Sunday, 18 July 2004 |
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Govt. to upgrade inland fisheries and aqua-culture centers by Chanuka Mannapperuma Investing Rs.3000 Mn, the Government of Sri Lanka with the National Development Bank (NDB) and National Aqua Culture Development Authority (NAQDA) with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB),has made arrangements to implement a project to upgrade inland fisheries and aqua culture sectors. The main objective of this project is to improve food security and reduce poverty, especially in rural areas, by promoting market- driven and sustainable management of inland fisheries and aqua culture through resource development and quality improvement. The ADB has agreed to provide a soft loan of Rs.2000 Mn from the total investment. Among the other activities of the project, Rs.600 Mn has been allocated for a credit program for the small and medium enterprises engaged in inland fishing. The NDB as the apex bank introduces new loan schemes for the inland fisheries sector. NDB loans for the enterprises will initially be given through BOC, Commercial Bank, HNB, DFCC, Kadurata Development Bank, Seylan Bank, Wayamba Development Bank, Sabaragamuwa Development Bank, Rajarata Development Bank and Ruhunu Development Bank. Addressing the delegates the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Chandrasena Wijesinghe said that this project is being implemented in 14 districts. We hope to set up 20 markets and two bulk inland fish stalls in Colombo and Dambulla. Assistant General Manager(SME and SME Development) A.L Somaratne said, "This loan scheme is being considered for the setting up of new businesses as well as for the expansion of existing ones. Privately owned businesses that are sole proprietorship, partnerships limited liability company and cooperative societies can borrow under this scheme." Further he said manufacturing relating to the inland fishing like breeding of prawns, fish nurseries, fish processing and curing plants, ornamental fish, aquatic plants and tissue culture of aqua plants are eligible for loans. |
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