Transport & Logistics
From The Report: Sri Lanka 2016
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Often referred to as the pearl of South Asia, Sri Lanka’s strategic position at the southernmost point between Africa, the Middle East and East Asia has supported its transformation into a leading global shipping hub. The Port of Colombo now stands as the largest and busiest in the region, benefitting from years of investment that have significantly increased handling capacity and cargo volumes. With a host of ambitious upgrades to the country’s ports now completed, the administration of newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena is renewing its focus on the island’s interior, where poor transport infrastructure has constrained access to basic services and overall economic growth, while stifling tourism potential.

This chapter contains interviews with Nelson Liu, Overseas Operations Officer, China Merchants Holdings International; and Hanif Yusoof, Group CEO, ExpoLanka Holdings.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Up to speed: Government investments will further bolster the sector
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Often referred to as the pearl of South Asia, Sri Lanka’s strategic position at the southernmost point between Africa, the Middle East and East Asia has supported its transformation into a leading global shipping hub. The Port of Colombo now stands as the largest and busiest in the region, benefitting from years of investment that have significantly increased handling capacity and cargo volumes. With a host of ambitious upgrades to the country’s ports now completed, the administration of newly…

Interview

Future benefits: OBG talks to Nelson Liu, Overseas Operations Officer, China Merchants Holdings International
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Interview:Nelson Liu How cost-competitive is Colombo relative to major international ports like Salalah and Singapore? NELSON LIU: Colombo is one of the most cost-competitive ports in the trans-shipment business. Its strategic location means only a minimal deviation from the primary east-west shipping route. This is complemented by a guaranteed service delivery that meets international standards. More specifically, Colombo operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year-round, unlike…

Analysis

Bigger and better: Major investments in port facilities are currently under way
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The Port of Colombo stands today as one of the busiest and most competitive in the region, after years of expansion carried out in partnership with the private sector. The private sector will remain a critical pillar of future port expansion, with the ongoing Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) managed by the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) expected to see a number of private contractors and management firms benefit from new projects. Widening Berth Sri Lanka has risen to become a regional shipping…

Analysis

The sky’s the limit: An overhaul of operations should lead to improved profitability
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National carrier SriLankan Airlines (SLA) has struggled in recent years as a result of rising operating costs, allegations of corporate mismanagement and lobbying by local vested interests. The new administration of President Maithripala Sirisena is hoping to address these issues with a comprehensive restructuring of the company’s portfolio, which could return the airline to profitability over the medium term. Recent Decline SLA’s recent troubles began in 2008, when UAE-based Emirates Airlines…

Interview

Becoming a global player: OBG talks to Hanif Yusoof, Group CEO, ExpoLanka Holdings
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Interview: Hanif Yusoof How can Sri Lankan importers and exporters become more competitive in international markets? HANIF YUSOOF: Facilitating greater visibility of Sri Lankan firms and brands abroad is very important and is partly done through national initiatives like promoting Ceylon tea, Ceylon cinnamon and tourism. These are all areas in which both the public and the private sector can work together. Take, for example, the maritime logistics and port sector. Sri Lanka needs to increase Colombo…

Analysis

Put to good use: The current government can take advantage of recent projects
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After the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015, the spending habits of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government have come under increased scrutiny, with efforts to improve transparency being a critical priority for the new administration. President Sirisena ran on a platform of confronting corruption, which at the time took the form of official investigations into contracts for public works projects under the previous administration. Investigations revolved around…