The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in UAE and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai made arrangements to organize Sri Lanka participation at 30^th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DBIS) held from 28^th February – 3^rd March 2024 in Dubai, UAE.

The Boat & Ship Building sector has been identified as an emerging export sector which offers a wide variety of products and services to international market. The sector uses advanced materials and technologies to be on par with global counterparts aligned with sustainable manufacturing.

The increasing demand for boats worldwide, regional and local for fishing, industrial, commercial and leisure purposes open up huge opportunities and new markets for Sri Lanka, due to its strategic location, highly trainable workforce and the labour cost advantage.

The government having identified the importance and the potential of the development of the sector has made arrangements to strengthen the marketing, promotion and branding initiatives of the industry parallelly to enhance the national and international recognition of the Sri Lankan Boat industry.

Therefore, in order to raise the awareness on the potential of the industry, EDB initiated a number of promotional programmes for the Sri Lanka Boat Building industry to increase the national and international visibility of the Sri Lankan Boating industry. Accordingly, EDB co-organize the Boat & Marine Show Sri Lanka with the relevant stakeholders biennially and organized Sri Lanka country pavilions at the world premier boat shows such as Genoa Boat Show – Italy and Dusseldorf Boat Show, Germany.

In continuing this efforts, EDB organized a Sri Lanka Country Pavilion at the Dubai International Boat Show (DBIS) held from 28^th February – 3^rd March 2024 in Dubai, UAE, with objectives of enhancing the international visibility of Sri Lanka Boat Building/ Marine Industry, gaining knowledge on market trends, new products, competitor intelligence, latest technology available etc. and establishing business contacts with boat and marine venders across the world. Accordingly, three Sri Lankan Boat Builders/ exporters are showcasing their products at this premier show to explore possible avenues in developing and promoting Sri Lanka Boat Building industry.

DIBS is the largest and most established boat show in the UAE, GCC, and Middle East and serves as a platform for industry professionals, boat owners and potential buyers to network, build relationships and explore business opportunities. It provides a conducive environment for conducting business meetings, forging partnerships and discussing the latest trends and developments in the industry.

The show features an impressive display of boats and yachts from renowned manufacturers and shipyards worldwide. Visitors can explore a diverse range of boats, from small dinghies to luxurious superyachts and witness the latest designs, technologies and innovations in the boating industry.

Also, it is expected to get maximum benefits of the seminars and discussions held parallelly with leading industry experts on yacht brokerage, yacht charter, yacht transportation and delivery to update the knowledge Sri Lankan exhibitors attend at the show.

In this context, Sri Lankan participants received a precious opportunity to present capabilities of the Sri Lankan Boating industry at the seminar to be organized parallel to the DBIS. Accordingly,             Mr. Shan Perera, CEO/ Director, Neil Fernando & Company (Pvt) Ltd and Ms. Gayathri Amarasinghe, Manager, Sales & Administration, Dhanusha Marine Lanka Exports (Pvt) Ltd presented Sri Lankan competencies on “Sri Lanka’s competitive position in the Boating Industry” on 2^nd March 2024 at the Dubai Port.

EDB will continue to support the industry in resolving their issues and creating opportunity to them to grow in the international market.