A 3-day familiarization program in Colombo for 20 entrepreneurs from Jaffna. The event, aimed at promoting export-oriented enterprises in the North.!!

Jaffna exporters eye global markets

Dulshani GUNAWARDENA

A three-day familiarization program is being held in Colombo for 20 entrepreneurs from Jaffna. The event, aimed at promoting export-oriented enterprises in the North, will end on Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration of this program yesterday, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof G. L. Peiris said the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was committed to raising the living standards of the people of the North.

This can only be achieved through accelerated economic growth, he said.

The Government's aim is to make the maximum use of the natural and human resources available in abundance in the North and fully harness their power to achieve sustainable economic growth. The Northern Province possesses a varied product base- namely fisheries and marine related products, palm and palm based products, agriculture and agro-processing.

Prof Peiris emphasizing that economic separation was never the motive of the

Tuna fish project
Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will implement a project to popularize the use of the maruwal pannaya fishing line technology.
The project will be inaugurated in Kalmunnai today. A variety of fishing equipment will also be distributed. It is aimed to develop the quality of marine exports. Tuna is in abundance in the Eastern and Northern seas.
It is in high demand in international markets, specially in Japan. However these countries demand a high level of quality and the use of massive nets substantially reduces the quality of Tuna.
The project will encourage fishermen to use long fishing lines or maruwal pannaya instead.
Boats equipped with radar machines to identify the location of Tuna shovels is hoped to be introduced with the advancement of this program.
Government, said the delegation's visit was both a practical and timely initiative to integrate the North with the rest of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, K. Maheshwaran said the North needed modern technologies. Though fruits and vegetables such as mangoes and tomatoes are in abundance, a great number is destroyed due to insufficient market opportunities.

Targeting international markets would be the ideal solution to this issue, but the North lacks the necessary resources.

He said Rs. 200,000 financial aid from the Government to entrepreneurs was not enough to achieve substantial development.

He called for more Government support and involvement in these issues.

The event is being organized by the Export Development Board (EDB), under the guidance of the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade.

The extensive program includes seminars, workshops and field tours in Colombo.

The delegation will be extensively briefed on export requirements, operational aspects, quality requirements and quality assurance needed to enter export markets.

They will also visit various vegetable, fruit and fish processing plants.

The delegation comprises representatives of the trade/industry associations covering a wide range of agricultural and marine organizations, as well as Government officials.

DAILYNEWS.LK