MALÉ: A virtual meeting between the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) and representatives of the Sri Lanka shipbuilding and boatbuilding industries was hosted by the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka with a view to enhancing mutual cooperation in these two sectors between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
In welcome remarks at the event held on 11 October, Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Packeer Mohideen Amza noted this was a landmark event for enhancing collaboration between the two countries to share knowledge and resources. Additional Secretary Amza further noted that the Export Development Board has identified ship and boatbuilding as a priority area for Sri Lanka whilst emphasising on the strategic location of Sri Lanka. He said that this first ever engagement between the two countries in this area would be mutually beneficial to both countries.
The Director General of Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) Chithranjali Dissanayake indicated that the initiative is an important step forward to energise the collaboration towards a more sustainable partnership in the industry and stressed that the focus of EDB is the Boat Show 2021 to be held virtually from October 25-29. She also called on operators in the Maldives boat industry to register and participate at the boat show to increase their level of interaction.
The President of the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) Ahmed Afrah made a presentation on the boat building industry in connection with the tourism sector of Maldives and stressed that the main focus of NBAM was to develop the boating industry of Maldives ensuring continued economic and social development. Afrah highlighted the Marine Exhibitions, Maldives boating awards event and the Stay Safe Afloat programme as some of the important activities carried out by the association in addition to the various publications that help create awareness on environmental protection.
The Managing Director of the Boat Building Technology Institute of Sri Lanka (BBTI) Gamini Herath underlined that the focus of BBTI is to promote Sri Lanka as a boatbuilding hub in the South Asia region. He said that some of the products and services offered by this sector include boat accessories, life jackets, boat and ship repairing including repairs of super luxury vessels and yachts. Such services have been expanded to include markets in Africa, Europe and some Middle Eastern countries, as well as Indonesia and the Maldives.
During the discussions it was also proposed to have joint ventures in the industry to facilitate better investment and business engagements. The Sri Lankan side noted the absence of the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement which hinders participation in the sector due to the tax burden among other obstacles. Both sides agreed to work on drafting an agreement on the industry for closer cooperation and taking the relationship to new heights.
The meeting was arranged by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Malé. Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry, Export Development Board and the representatives of Colombo Dockyard and senior executives of the Sri Lanka shipbuilding and boatbuilding industry and the Executive Members of the NBAM participated in the remote event.
