The Colombo International Logistics conference organized by Colombo International Maritime Conference (CIMC) will go ahead as planned, the organizers told the media at a press conference in Colombo yesterday.

The Indian government is requesting Indian companies to invest in the Colombo Port, Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha told a maritime forum in Colombo yesterday.

• Opportunities in an emerging global logistics hub and a shipping centre
• Understand South Asia’s logistics market beyond 2020
• Understanding new technologies in logistics management

The logistics industry is reshaping and evolving its role to facilitate a new order of global trade, e-commerce and to reach out to the 21st century consumer with flexibility and speed, modernising the global supply chains. For this reason, strategic distribution hubs connected by air and sea and proximity to markets and transportation hubs makes a location suitable for international logistics to provide services at minimal costs.

The Indian Government yesterday sought to reassure Sri Lanka that India’s burgeoning investment on developing its ports will pose no threat to the Port of Colombo, noting they have urged Indian companies to invest in the expansion of the Colombo Harbour.
By Madushka Balasuriya

The first Colombo International Logistics Conference will be held on August 1 and 2 in Sri Lanka, focusing on promoting Sri Lanka as a new destination for international logistics and as a regional distribution centre beyond its shipping connectivity via its ports.

The second Colombo International Maritime conference will commence on 22 September and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Over 400 participants along with 60 international speakers will be in attendance.

• Hidden gem of a logistics centre and a megapolis in the Indian Ocean
• A conference to understand South Asia’s logistics market beyond 2020
• Lonely Planet’s No. 1 destination for travel 2019
• CIMC Events 5th Major International Conference

Sri Lanka is known as a mega transshipment location in South Asia. In fact, it’s the fastest growing one among major ports of the world, with the rank of 11th best connected port in the world of shipping. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, connecting multiple continents and reaching out to billions of people, many have not realised that the island nation sitting next to the major market of India is probably the best geographical position for logistics, distribution and storage of both bulk and containerised cargo.

The recently announced Colombo International Finance Centre (FC), formerly known as the Colombo Port City, will have legislation and tax laws separate from that of the rest of Sri Lanka, the Government revealed yesterday, as it ramped up efforts to attract investment and capitalise on its strategic location in the region.
By Madushka Balasuriya

Colombo International Maritime Conference Organising Committee Chairman Rohan Masakorala presenting a memento to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in the background  Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

The second Colombo International Maritime Conference was held on 22 September and inaugurated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Over 400 participants, including 60 international speakers, attended the event – Pix by Kitsiri de Mel.