COLOMBO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has issued regulations with regard to leisure craft operations and managing the registration of visiting yachts, the country's Export Development Board (EDB) said in a statement on Monday.

This is a significant step toward fostering the growth of Sri Lanka's boat-building and boating industry, the EDB said.

The EDB said this framework aims to enhance the sector's potential, driving it forward with greater international competitiveness.

Boat and shipbuilding is not only a rapidly emerging export sector but also a multi-million dollar industry with the potential to open new economic opportunities for Sri Lanka, according to the EDB.

With the nation's capacity to build and operate yachts for chartering and nautical activities, there is a unique opportunity to enhance the nautical tourism industry by attracting foreign yachts and visitors to Sri Lankan waters, the EDB said.

Activities like whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving, leisure fishing, and water sports are available throughout the year and will help boost the tourism sector. However, there was a gap in regulating leisure craft operations and managing the registration of visiting yachts, which posed challenges to the industry's growth, the EDB said.

The government has recognized the importance of developing this sector and allocated funds to establish a robust regulatory framework, THE EDB said. Enditem

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