Japan to assist Sri Lanka boost its fish exports

Japan has agreed to extend its fullest support to boost Sri Lanka’s fish exports in response to a request made by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mahinda Amaraweera during a recent visit to the East Asian country.

Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Masahisa Sato, has assured the Sri Lankan Minister of Japan’s fullest support to increase fish exports when he met Minister Amaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan on Sunday.

According to the Government Information Department, 12% of fish exports from Sri Lanka are purchased by Japan. In particular, the traditional sushi and sashimi made from tuna is exported to Japan at a price of Rs. 30,000 a kilogramme.

Minister Amaraweera requested the support of Japan to further strengthen the production of sushi and sashimi in Sri Lanka and pledged that Sri Lanka could increase fish exports to Japan.

Minister Sato has assured that Japan will support Sri Lanka to develop the fisheries sector. He further said that Sri Lankan tuna is popular in Japan and that steps would be taken to strengthen the purchase of sushi and sashimi from Sri Lanka.

At present Japan purchases 700 tonnes of tuna per year.