Following the successful Iranian Trade and Business Exhibition that was held in Colombo recently, a number of business opportunities have arisen as a result of the event. This exhibition succeeded in showcasing a wide range of products made and services produced or offered by companies in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The result of this was the signing of a MOU between a Sri Lankan and an Iranian company for the manufacture of a variety of boats.

The Chief Guest at this event was Dr Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion who actively promoted Sri Lankan- Iranian economic ties. Minister Amunugama had held discussion with the Iranian Minister of Commerce Massoud Mir Kassem, to examine ways to promote greater economic ties between the Governments and more importantly, the private sectors of Sri Lanka and Iran.

Dr Amunugama spoke of the growing ties between the two countries and said that next month, President Ahmedinajad of Iran was to make Sate Visit to Sri Lanka. Iran was going to support Sri Lanka on the construction of the Uma Oya project, a 28 km tunnel that will bring water from the Central Highlands to the Hambantota District. Iran was emerging as one of Sri Lanka's major economic partners in trade and possibly investment in the future.

Commenting on the project Minister Amunugama said that yachting, as a leisure activity had not really developed in the Subcontinent in contrast with East Asia and the Persian Gulf areas. Sri Lanka was very much dependent on land based tourism; thought steps had been taken inn areas such as whale watching. The construction of yachts in Sri Lanka offered potential to upgrade the Sri Lankan tourism industry by offering high end products. Channa Palansuriya, Member of The BOI Board of Directors signed the MOU on behalf of the BOI. The event, which was co-ordinated and facilitated by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, was also an opportunity to create joint ventures between private sector establishment of Sri Lanka and Iran.

One such example of the new co-operation was the signing of a MOU for a joint venture between Fulton Yachts International of Iran and FRP Services & Co (Lanka) Ltd to manufacture various types of boats/crafts in Sri Lanka. FRP Services & Co has exported boats to the Maldives, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Iran is going to hold an exclusive exhibition in Colombo Sri Lanka from 25 to 31 of January 2008. This would be the first Exclusive Exhibition of Iran in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka after the I.R. of Iran Solo Exhibition in Colombo-Sri Lanka in November of 2007. Fulton Yachts International Company will be present at this Fair during 25-31 of January and will have a stand in this Exclusive Exhibition.

Fifth Exhibition of Free & Special Economic Zones is nowadays held in Kish Island. After Successful Exhibitions in 4 later years, the fifth one is going to be mostly visited one. Kish Island Free Zone has a lot of experience in these fields and there are 20 exclusive exhibitions in this Island in a year.

At the Second edition of the above event 132 companies including 38 foreign enterprises from the countries such as China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Austria, Sweden, UAE and UK were exhibiting a wide range of maritime industries. 

This exhibition which was held in an area of 21,000sqm indoor and 14,000sqm outdoor space and morethan50,000 sqm of watercrafts displaying area received a unique and warm welcome from the traders and specialists.  

Islamic Republic of Iran and the region is heavily dependent on maritime industry to meet the increasing demand of sea transport. We do hope that the Iran Kish International Maritime &Sailing Exhibition 2007 will be a suitable venue for participants and visitors to meet their potential counterparts and discuss of their interests and explore business opportunities.