Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda says that he is very keen on providing the required cooperation and assistance in order to solve the issues faced by the Indian investors who culture seaweeds in Northern and Eastern Provinces.
The Minister expressed these views during a discussion held with a group of Investors at the Fisheries Ministry on Monday (16). At the discussion, Indian Investors pointed out that this seaweed culture is being carried out in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mannar districts by Mannar Algae Private Limited and there are more than 800 persons working in the Company and they earn Rs.50,000 – Rs.80,000 monthly. Specifically, there is a big opportunity for Agar Culture in these areas and this culture can be carried out in other provinces as well.
The investors added that when carrying out seaweed culture in these Districts they face a lot of issues, specifically when seeking assistance for obtaining the license from Divisional Secretariats and requested the Minister to provide assistance in order to solve these issues.
The Minister said that as the Fisheries Minister, he is dedicated to develop this sector and takes measures to encourage the people of these areas towards projects such as Sea Cucumber and Seaweed culture. The Minister added that he would provide all the assistance from the Government to the investors who come forward to develop this sector and he would discuss with the relevant officials and provide solutions to the issues expeditiously.
Fisheries Ministry Secretary Indu Rathnayake, the Scientists from NARA and NAQDA institutes, and the officials from Mannar Algae Private Company attended.
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