Sri Lanka intends to expand its boat industry – now focused almost solely on commercial vessels – and make the country a renowned recreational boating hub and yacht service centre for the Indian Ocean. A boat industry includes not only the boat building sector but also after-sales services (including refitting and repair), marina services, associated recreational services such as boat charters and all services connected with the efficient use of any vessel. The potential for Sri Lanka’s boat and ship building industry is particularly high in light of interest from the global marine industry for Sri Lanka to open itself to the Asian markets.
The National Export Strategy (NES) has identified boat building, a visionary sector, as a priority sector for growth and development. The NES focus on boat and ship building will establish this sector to benefit well from the demand for a regional boat and ship building hub in Asia. The Strategy’s goal is to turn Sri Lanka into a renowned manufacturer of boats and boat industry products, a popular recreational boating hub and a yacht and marine industry service centre. This will lead Sri Lanka towards its aspirations to become a hub of growth & innovation in the Asian region, and thereby providing employment and prosperity to thousands of Sri Lankans.
The following delineates the proposed vision and strategic objectives of this Strategy. This vision statement was agreed upon by all stakeholders in the boat building value chain in Sri Lanka:
“Sri Lanka: Boat building and Maritime Tourism Hub in the Indian Ocean”
For the latest on the boat building industry please click (https://www.srilankabusiness.com/boat-and-ship-building/)
