Japan to boost SL’s banana exports

Friday, 28 June 2013 04:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation will help further strengthen Japan-Sri Lanka trade ties, through which investments will expand for the island’s banana and tuna fishing industries and greater export opportunities will be provided for the products. Japan-Sri Lanka Business Co-operation Council Chairman and advisor to ITOCHU Corporation Kouhei Wata

nebe shared this when he and the corporation’s representatives met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the ministry office earlier this week. Watanebe added that ITOCHU was also focusing on developing Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, transport sector and environment-friendly coal power plants. According to him, President Mahinda Rajapaksa too had discussed these during his last visit to Japan. Minister Basil Rajapaksa said there was a very good market for banana, pineapple, rambutan and other fruits grown in Sri Lanka where the cultivation is being expanded with Government assistance. He also said that areas like Batticaloa and Kalpitiya were areas most suitable for the cultivation of marine plants and rearing sea leeches. The Economic Development Minister admitted that the prawn industry in Sri Lanka is facing setbacks at the moment but there is opportunity for improving it. Referring to investment opportunities in the area of exports, he said that it is Sri Lanka that meets 95% of the world’s cinnamon requirements. Minister Rajapaksa added that the peace which now prevails in the country, political

stability, environmental friendliness, 24-hour power supply and the availability of skilled labour had attracted many foreign investors. Industry and Commerce Mini-stry Secretary Anura Siriwardena and a number of senior officials of the ITOCHU Corporation, including its General Managers Masazumi Nishikage (Planning and Administration) and Kenji Tanaka (Marine Products) attended the discussions.