Basil says SL has potential to be seafood processing hub

Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chairman Basil Rajapaksa inspects a frozen fish product during his visit to Global Sea Foods 

• Highlights scope during visit to top exporter GSF’s processing plant
• Stresses need to brand tuna, add value to imported fish
• Assures to redress issues faced by seafood exporters
• Commends hygiene, quality standards and contribution towards export earnings by GSF

Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chairman Basil Rajapaksa recently stressed Sri Lanka has the potential to become a seafood processing hub given its strategic location and marine resources.

Rajapaksa spoke of the scope for a hub when he visited the processing plant of leading exporter Global Sea Foods Ltd. (GSF), accompanied by the company’s Managing Director Prabhash Subasinghe, who is also the Chairman of the Export Development Board.

Rajapaksa commended on the hygiene and quality standards that is maintained, whilst processing seafood and praised the management and staff of Global Sea Foods, for the contribution towards the maintenance of export revenue by finding new markets and volume by not being deterred with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was also impressed in the manner the company faced the tough competition across the globe. The processing methodology and unique packaging methods adopted by the company was also an interest to him.

Rajapaksa highlighted the need tuna branding and imported fish needs value addition. He also said there is potential for Sri Lanka to be a processing hub.

Presidential Task Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chief said he was aware of the current issues faced by the sea food exporters where they incur high freight costs imposed by airlines and the lack of proper facilities available at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). He assured to investigate on a priority basis to ease the difficulties faced by the seafood exporters.

Commenting on the occasion Subasinghe said keeping in line with the vision and the priorities set out by the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and increasing export revenue, Global Sea Foods, is indeed a way ahead in supporting the plans and targets set by the Government of Sri Lanka in relation to exports.

Subasinghe said revival of exports is a sign of economic recovery. “Seafood industry has been a major contributor towards the exports out of Sri Lanka even during the COVID pandemic and the Government is indeed geared up to boost exports and would work with all line ministries to achieve the targets,” he added.