Colombo Dockyard Ltd. (CDL) said it was in the preliminary stage of talks with Croatian shipbuilders on possible collaboration but says there is no joint venture plan for a yard in Hambantota.
It said in a statement to the Colombo Stock Exchange that the idea of possible collaboration in shipbuilding between Croatia and Sri Lanka was mooted by the Sri Lanka mission in Vienna.
Last Thursday, minister for enterprise development and investment promotion, Sarath Amunugama, said there had been talks between Sri Lanka and Croatia on setting up ship-building facilities in Hambantota and talks have started with Colombo Dockyard.
His remarks were made at the opening of a supply chain hub for the supermarket chain Marks & Spencer at Global Park in Seeduwa.
But the CDL statement said its discussions with Croatian entities were on possible co-operation in collaborating for designs and supply of raw material and technical support.
Source: LBO