A special discussion was held on yesterday (8th of May,2025) at the premises of the Ministry of Fisheries between a delegation from the Chinese government, including the Mayor of Yantai City of Shandong Province in China, Mr. Zheng Deyan, the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Minister Mr. Rathna Gamage, the Secretary to the Ministry and the Heads of all the institutions under the Ministry.
The delegation, who are in Sri Lanka, visited the Ministry of Fisheries yesterday to discuss the support and investment opportunities that can be provided to the Ministry of Fisheries and the affiliated institutions, which is considered as a great opportunity for the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka.
Here, the two parties exchanged views on large-scale projects and investment opportunities which require high technology and a significant amount of capital that are difficult to implement at the ministerial or institutional level. The Chinese delegation expressed its consent for this and it was agreed by the two parties to discuss this issue further in the future, identify investment opportunities and proceed ensuing activities accordingly.
Shandong Province in China is a province that has achieved high technology and progress in the fisheries industry, especially in aquaculture. Fish farming in huge cage systems installed in the sea (net pen aquaculture) is progressing here at a very advanced level, and modern technology is used to the optimum level for this. Despite such huge potential is available in Sri Lankan waters, the amount of investment made in this field is very limited. Based on our sea borders, it is expected that this high-tech fish farming cage system will be a great success in Sri Lanka.
The first meeting of this series of discussions was held. These discussions are expected to continue and both parties look forward to identify more successful investment opportunities together.
