SL’s first Maldive fish factory in Kalutara

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Sri Lanka's first Maldive fish factory will open in the Industrial Zone in Kalutara before the end of this year, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

“A well-known Maldive fish producer in Japan had agreed to provide funds to set up the Maldive fish factory in Sri Lanka. Agreements in connection to this factory will be signed in the near future,” he added.

The minister was addressing a meeting at the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry recently.

According to the minister, Sri Lanka imports 6,000 to 8,000 metric tons of Maldive fish annually. The market price of a kilo of Maldive fish is around Rs 2,000. The minister expressed hope that consumers would be able to purchase Maldive fish at half the price after the factory is set up. Sri Lanka earns Rs .21 million by exporting fish products and spends Rs 14 million to import Maldive fish and other fish products.

Minister Senaratne hopes to earn a foreign exchange of US $ 400 million by next year. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Dr Damitha De Soysa, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation chairman Maheel Senaratne and managing director Ruwan Lankeshwara were also present at the meeting.