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FT
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Friday, 8 July 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera says 36 fish processing factories were not in operation after the European Union imposed a ban on Sri Lanka’s fish exports in January 2015.
He said restarting their operations has become possible since the ban has been lifted due to the fruitful effort of the present government with its friendly foreign policy and successful implementation of 57 strategies recommended by the EU in order to lift the ban.
The 36 fish processing factories which were not operating for nearly one and half years are now open and this will add about Rs. 16 billion of foreign exchange income to the country’s economy, the Minister said during an observation visit to the Tropic Sea Foods fish processing factory.
Tropic Sea Foods, is the largest fish processing factory in Sri Lanka and it exports nearly 2 tons of processed fish products per day to Japan and Russia.
During the visit the Minister observed the processing of quality fish products at the factory using latest technology.
Speaking to media after the visit, Minister Amaraweera noted that during the past week 78,000 kg of fish products were exported to European countries since the lifting of the ban on 27 June.
The Minister requested the business community to always export best quality fish in order to secure global recognition for Sri Lankan fisheries products.
