2.2 Planning Meeting for the First Public Seminar Workshop

Separate meetings were held with senior staff of the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Development Finance Corporation of Ceylon (DFCC) to discuss planning of the first Public Seminar Workshop (see Annex V, Project Schedule, Item #25) and problems encountered with its financing. The Director (Project Management) of EDB indicated that the EDB was unable to provide direct funding for the workshop, due to policy and the current period of financial restraint. She offered only possible assistance with workshop organization, contingent upon favourable consideration by EDB's board of a proposal prepared by MOFARD.

Senior management at DFCC responded favourably to a request for financial assistance, the Deputy General Manager, Operations indicating that DFCC would be willing to partially fund the workshop. Support would be considered for auditorium rental, registration and accommodation costs for invited participants and other expenses, subsequent to receipt of a proposal (justification, preliminary program and budget, showing FAO and MOFARD contributions). The Deputy General Manager, Operations also indicated that DFCC could provide a speaker to give a presentation on financial aspects of shrimp farming in Sri Lanka.

Prior and subsequent to these meetings, discussions were held between the consultant and the National Project Director (NPD) to discuss the logistics of organizing the workshop. It was decided to propose a two-day workshop, to be held in March (dates to be determined depending on availability of a suitable venue), with participation of 100 attendees from government, private sector, NGOs and international agencies. The consultant prepared an outline of a program for a two day meeting, under the title "Shrimp Farming in Sri Lanka -Issues and Answers" (see Annex VI), to be modified by the NPD to accommodate suggestions made by EDB and DFCC, to serve as a proposal to be sent by MOFARD to EDB and DFCC, along with a formal request for organizational and financial support. Two potentially suitable venues have been located, both with suitable auditorium space to accommodate 100 participants. A rough budget was estimated at $200,000 RPS, not including FAO contributions for international consultancies and publication of the proceedings. The NPD is to revise the program and finalize the proposal document, including a more refined budget, and send these to EDB and DFCC along with a formal request for assistance.

The MOFARD will request FAO to take the following actions relative to the planning of the PSW:

· To coordinate scheduled visits by FAO international consultants No. 3 (FAO Legal Consultant), No. 5 (FAO Environmental Consultant) and No. 1 (Shrimp Health Consultant) and of the FAO/FIRI Fish Health Specialist so that they may attend and participate as invited speakers and discussants in the workshop.

· To re-allocate funds to cover costs of publishing the workshop proceedings.

· To assist the MOFARD by re-allocating additional financial support for the workshop, should DFCC not be able to provide full contribution of the remaining funds needed.