The international boat exhibition 'Boat Show Sri Lanka 2010' will be held from 24-26 April 2010 at the BMICH in Colombo.

Sri Lanka should be a hub of boats, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. He remarked that the country had tremendous potential for exports, especially to countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The Minister explained that the untapped industry of boat building contributed $37 million in 2007 and $61 million in 2009 to national exports.

"The marine industry goes above and beyond fishing. The country is capable of generating substantial foreign revenue from sails exports to countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Also the cost of fiber glass construction is less and boat builders find it lucrative to invest here," he added.

"My vision for the country was to see a few white sails (leisure sails) in the island besides the usual fishing boats," commented German Ambassador Jens Uwe Plotner, a sailor himself.

"With the influx of tourists the industry is looking into the prospects of leisure boating and water sports", said Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI) Chairman Neil Fernando.

He remarked that the industry had tremendous potential for boat building in particular and tax incentives would assist the infrastructure development of the subdivision.

It was further mentioned that Middle Eastern countries had much scope for skilled boat builders thereby increasing 'skilled' foreign employment prospects. The Institute in this regard has contributed to educational aspects of boat building by training unemployed and unskilled persons, Mr. Fernando added.