Min Visithuru Sri Lanka 2005 in June

Min Visithuru Sri Lanka 2005 international exhibition of ornamental fish, aquatic plants and accessories organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) with the collaboration of the Export Development Board (EDB) will be held from June 2 to 5 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Chandrasena Wijesinghe said their main objective is to enhance the global access of ornamental fish and aquarium plant entrepreneurs from international background.

Sri Lanka covers three percent of the market share in the global ornamental fish trade and should increase it to 10 percent. “The industry needs encouragement and many small scale entrepreneurs leave the industry due to difficulties in accessing the global markets”, he said. Entrepreneurs should be more knowledgeable about about the international quality and the latest technology in the industry.

The Ministry has set up a special training center in Rambadagalla to provide sufficient training for entrepreneurs. Sri Lanka has all the necessary resources to develop the industry especially in rural areas. We expect to develop the ornamental fish industry as a family business in rural areas and earn more foreign exchange through this, he said.

Chairman of the EDB Rohantha Athukorala said that ornamental fish sector has developed rapidly. The total export earnings from ornamental fish was Rs. 629 million in 2003. It was Rs. 747 million last year and the contribution from SMEs was Rs. 420 million.

This exhibition will be a good opportunity for local entrepreneurs to gain good market practices from the international market and also this will be a good platform to promote Sri Lankan ethical right products and services for the global market, he said.

By Anjana Samarasinghe Daily News 28/04/2005

Pic By D.T Hewagama (NAQDA)