I’m pleased to note that the sixth edition on the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference will be held in Colombo at a time Sri Lanka needs international investments and support. I have been with the conference since 2015 as its patron. I have seen the high standards brought in by this event and also bringing in new thinking to the industry to make shipping and logistics a key pillar of the regional economic growth and help Sri Lanka to use its geographic position to support global maritime and supply chain industries through development of the overall logistics sector.

I also believe that post Covid global economy will have trade shifts and international transportation and connectivity will play a key role in shaping the future economic direction of Sri Lanka and region itself. 

I therefore, take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers and extend my fullest support and corporation to make this Conference a success.

Karu Jayasuritya

Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, Sri Nitin Gadkari at the launch of the SAML Forum 2017, in Mumbai, We are committed to South Asia region development

In his inaugural address through video message at the launch of first edition of South Asia Maritime & Logistics Forum (SAMLF) in India, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Govt. of India, Nitin Gadkari appreciated the initiative to create a forum for maritime nations in South Asia, and said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to give highest priority towards development of Ports and inland waterways. It is a great pleasure and pride for me for the last 3 years that all major ports in India are making profit. While the ambitious Sagarmala initiative is giving emphasis on port-based industrialisation, connectivity and modernisation; the inland waterways projects are extended to neighbouring countries Nepal and Bangladesh which will be beneficial for the region’s economy. The Indian government is keen to develop ports in Sri Lanka. Similarly, development of Chabahar Port will provide better connectivity to India and South Asia with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Europe.

Nepal is a key partner for India and development of inland waterways will ease goods movement between the two countries. The biggest challenge for the region is to bring down logistics cost at par with other developed regions like Europe and China. I welcome all stakeholders from South Asia who are keen to invest in India, and together we can frame policy to facilitate investment.”

The Indian shipping minister emphasised that India will stand by neighbouring countries in building
infrastructure and bringing down logistics cost.

South Asia Maritime & Logistics Forum 2018, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said it is possible to make a big lead into the socio-economic development of the people of South Asia through utlising huge potential of the maritime sector in the region, reports UNB.

"There's huge potential of the maritime sector in South Asia and utilising the potential, it's possible to make a big lead into the socio-economic development of the people of this region," she said.

The prime minister was inaugurating the two-day 2nd South Asia Maritime and Logistics Forum 2018 at hotel Le Meridien Dhaka.

She said Bangladesh has already settled the maritime boundary disputes with two neighbours with Myanmar in 2012 and with India in 2014 -- through which it reclaimed 118,813 square kilometres of the Bay of Bengal. "The total area of resources includes 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and over 354 nautical miles of resources on seabed."

Colombo International Maritime & Logistics Conference 2022

“The government of Sri Lanka has identified the country’s role as a strategic player in the Indian Ocean to support global trade by facilitating and expanding logistics services. The government under my leadership is committed to making Sri Lanka a key logistics centre in the world. Among major economic sectors that can help revive the Sri Lankan economy, I believe logistics to be a game changer.

The key markets around us, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, give us new opportunities to make use of our location and its major ports of Colombo, Hambanthota and Trincomalee to convert Sri Lanka into a global centre for supply chain connectivity through logistics services.

Given the economic challenges faced currently by Sri Lanka, greater emphasis must be given to the
export industry. To do that, we need to connect to global supply chains by using the island’s unique and strategic location to play a prominent role in the international logistics industry”

The government of Sri Lanka has identified the country’s role as a strategic player in the Indian Ocean to support global trade by facilitating and expanding logistics services. The government under my leadership is committed to making Sri Lanka a key logistics centre in the world. Among major economic sectors that can help revive the Sri Lankan economy, I believe logistics to be a game changer. The key markets around us, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, give us new opportunities to make use of our location and its major ports of Colombo, Hambanthota and Trincomalee to convert Sri Lanka into a global centre for supply chain connectivity through logistics services.

Given the economic challenges faced currently by Sri Lanka, greater emphasis must be given to the export industry. To do that, we need to connect to global supply chains by using the island’s unique and strategic location to play a prominent role in the international logistics industry. 

As the President, I am committed to fostering partnerships with global shipping and logistics giants in the sector and will open the industry to foreign direct investment by eliminating any barriers for entry, and ensure greater competitiveness. With International partners we can potentially make Sri Lanka the hub of Asia. I am aware that speed and cost are key elements to be competitive in today’s post-covid trading environment where trade shifts are being witnessed and new supply chain solutions are looked at by the logistics industry including e-commerce. The island is ideally located to provide such services and economies of scale to east-west trade passing through the Indian Ocean and support our regional growth as well.

In this context, the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference 2022 is of great significance as it is the first mega-conference held in Sri Lanka as a post-covid event. It will open new opportunities for Sri Lanka. I take this opportunity to wish the organisers of the event, great success.

I’m pleased to note that the sixth edition on the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference will be held in Colombo at a time Sri Lanka needs international investments and support. I have been with the conference since 2015 as its patron. I have seen the high standards brought in by this event and also bringing in new thinking to the industry to make shipping and logistics a key pillar of the regional economic growth and help Sri Lanka to use its geographic position to support global maritime and supply chain industries through development of the overall logistics sector.

I also believe that post Covid global economy will have trade shifts and international transportation and connectivity will play a key role in shaping the future economic direction of Sri Lanka and region itself.

I therefore, take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers and extend my fullest support and corporation to make this Conference a success.

Karu Jayasuritya

The International Maritime & Logistics Conference being held in Colombo in November 2022 is a timely initiative that would enable dialog among various stakeholders associated with international trade, maritime and logistics with Sri Lanka.

I’m very happy to note that the “Colombo International Maritime & Logistics Conference”, organized by CIMC Events, is going to be held on 1-2 November 2022 in Colombo. I am confident that this event will bring together relevant stake holders from the region and beyond to engage in a meaningful dialog for enhancing maritime connectivity, supply chain sustainability and international trade; and also for better networking, camaraderie and understanding between the shipping communities. All these are particularly crucial for our region at this challenging time.