An online workshop was organized to promote the development of recreational boating in Sri Lanka 11-May 2021.

Recreational marine industry has been identified as a sector worthy of Sri Lankan Government support. Although their boat builders produce mainly for the commercial market, there is some recreational boat manufacturing, and an increasing interest to cater to this segment. In consonant with the drive to promote recreational boat building, the Country also plans to development the domestic market. As a tropical island state, it has all the natural ingredients for boating activity and nautical tourism to flourish. The workshop comprises two main panels. Panel 1 was focused on the potential for recreational boat manufacturing and export, while Panel 2 was focused on the development of the domestic sector (infrastructure and nautical tourism). A group of subject matter experts were present in each panel for a discussion on the strategic plan outlined to promote the development of recreational boating in the Country. The Workshop ended in a roundtable discussion with selected members of both panels coming together to take questions from the virtual audience, and to sum up the challenges and opportunities for the development of the recreational marine industry in Sri Lanka.

The event was organized by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore, together with the Export Development Board, Sri Lanka – Singapore Business Council, Sri Lanka Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute and Singapore Boating Industry Association.