April 2, 2012

Sri Lanka's canned fish factory to begin operations

Sri Lanka's first ever semi-government owned canned fish factory, constructed in Galle, is to open this week, with expected productions of 10,000 cans per day.

Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Managing Director Ruwan Lankeshwara speaking to Daily News Business said," at the initial stage of the project, more than 100 direct and 500 indirect job opportunities could be created through this factory and this would help generate more than 500 job opportunities every year.

"Vigorous promotional campaigns will also be launched to promote this product among Sri Lankan consumers and if it is well received by consumers across the country, we would be looking at opportunities in foreign markets as well. 'There is a huge global demand for salmons caught in Sri Lankan waters, but we have not been able to export canned fish products so far, 'he said.

"Annually, Sri Lanka spends large sums to import salmon products hence initially, what we want is to curtail at least 30% of salmon imports to Sri Lanka.

CFC is also looking at possibilities in setting up another three canned fish factories in Matale, Peliyagoda and Mundalama and these projects are also to be implemented as public private partnership ventures,"he added.