As an initiative of the Commercial section of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore, an online workshop on the Development of Recreational Boating Industry in Sri Lanka was successfully held on 11 May, 2021. The event was co-host by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Singapore Boating Industry Association, and supported by Singapore -Sri Lanka Business Council and the Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute of Sri Lanka. Over 100 participants from Singapore and Sri Lanka participated at the event.

The online workshop comprised two panel discussions and a round table discussion. Panel sessions were focused on the development of export sector of boat building and the development of domestic sector particularly on marina development, infrastructure and nautical tourism with the participation of eminent industry experts from Sri Lanka, Singapore, UK, Spain, Thailand and Hong Kong. They represented mainly GMBA, UK, Thailand Yachting Business Association, Sub -committee of the Sri Lanka Singapore Business Council, Hong Kong Boating Industry Association, SUTL Enterprises- One 15 marina Singapore, GMBA, Spain and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The two panel sessions were moderated by Head of Marketing Colombo Dockyard Prince Lye and Chairman, Singapore Boating Industry Association Y.P. Loke respectively.

The workshop provided an opportunity for the state sector and private sector to the strategic direction of the industry and provide details of the capabilities and competitive position of the industry, the policy framework of marina development, and domestic opportunities for nautical tourism.

Presentations were made by the State Ministry of Boats and Ship Building, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute, Neil Marine Pvt. Ltd, Sail Lanka Charter Group   to showcase Sri Lanka’s supply capability and investment and JV opportunities in order to create awareness and to attract foreign investments, buyers and distributors.

High Commissioner Sashikala Premawardhane, the Chairman of the Export Development Board Suresh de Mel and Chairman of the Singapore Boating Industry Association Y.P. Loke made opening remarks at the event.

The round table discussion held was chaired by the Secretary General of the International Council of Marine Industry Association Udo Kleinitz, with the participation of the Export Development Board, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Boat Building and Technology Institute, Colombo Dockyard and Singapore Boating Industry Association and the session highlighted the key findings for way forward in both boat building industry and nautical tourism areas.

The online workshop facilitated an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the strategic direction of the recreational boating industry, market expansion, design and quality upgrading of the sector and gain understanding of the domestic culture that needs to be developed in order for Sri Lanka to become an attractive marina destination in the region.