(VOV) – The project for Vietnam to provide technical support for developing the seafood sector in Sri Lanka was launched in Colombo on May 14.
At the launching, Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Sarath Kumara Gunarathe, praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in aquaculture, emphasizing that its experiences will offer valuable lessons for Sri Lanka.
Vietnam now ranks third in seafood production and fourth in global exports.
He also highlighted Vietnam’s enthusiastic support through the Vietnamese Government-funded project in the 2013-2014 period while noting that the project will contribute to effectively promoting and developing the seafood sector in Sri Lanka.
Vietnamese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ton Sinh Thanh, spoke highly of Sri Lanka’s great potential for developing the seafood sector. After Vietnam re-opened its embassy in Colombo in 2011, it has paid special attention to promoting cooperation between the two nations and proposed the technical support program for Sri Lanka in this field, he said.
Ambassador Thanh affirmed that Vietnam is willing to share its experiences and help Sri Lanka develop its seafood sector to generate jobs, improve incomes for fishermen, meet domestic demand and boost exports.
He said this is an important project that marks new developments in effective, practical cooperation between the two nations. He says he hopes it will promote investment in and exploitation of Sri Lankan seafood sources by establishing joint ventures among seafood companies in both nations.
Leaders from the Research Institute for Aquaculture No 3 and the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) thanked the embassy, as well as the governments and relevant ministries for speeding up the project’s implementation.
Experts from Research Institute for Aquaculture No 3 also gave a presentation about the project, which features sea cucumber, seaweed and lobster farming in Sri Lanka, and offered to help devise an overall plan for developing the Sri Lankan seafood sector.