The seminar was arranged as part of the Norwegian funded Business Match-Making Program in Sri Lanka. A group of Norwegian companies working with fisheries and fish-related industries visited Sri Lanka. The purpose of the visit was to identify possible partners for joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Norway.
“With sound, sustainable exploitation of marine resources, Sri Lanka’s oceans could contribute greatly to further progress and development in Sri Lanka, as it has in Norway,” Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Haraldstad stated in her opening speech at the seminar, adding that every day of the week, 29 million meals are served globally with Norwegian fish as the main ingredient. “That’s just one example of the magnitude and the potential of fishing and related industries -in Norway and here in Sri Lanka. I will be very happy if this visiting delegation and Norway will be able to assist Sri Lanka in improving and develop its fishing and fish-related industries, “ the Ambassador said.
The Mach-Making Program has been running for 17 years, resulting in some 100 fruitful business ventures between Sri Lanka and Norway. Just this week, Nor-Dan Boats from Norway and Dhanusha Marine entered into cooperation. A licensing agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Norwegian Ambassador. The Minister of Fisheries expressed enthusiasm of the prospects of getting a closer cooperation with Norwegian boat manufacturers and fishing industry.
The Norwegian Business Match-Making Program is a part of Norway’s official development cooperation program Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is local counterpart.