SIASLE 2012 from March 8-10

Sri Lanka is ready to showcase its potential and capacity in shipping and logistic internationally and market them to attract more business opportunities at the Sri Lanka International Air Freight, Shipping and Logistic Expo 2012 (SIASLE 2012) which will be held in Colombo from March 8-10

The chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports authority (SLPA) Dr. Piyath Bandu Wickrama said that already over 450 companies have registered to participate at the exhibition and expects more during the coming week.

This is the first -ever international exhibition held in Sri Lanka in this field. We are working towards making Sri Lanka a shipping and aviation hub and these type of events will attract the attention of global players on the vast opportunities available in Sri Lanka, he said.

The 12th International Association of Ports and Harbour (IAPH) Asia/ Oceania Regional Meeting and Port Forum will also be held parallel to SIASLE 2012 at the BMICH in Colombo. IAPH is a global alliance representing 230 ports in 90 countries. The member ports together handle over 60 percent of the world's sea-borne trade and 80 percent of the world container traffic.

Managing Director of SLPA Nihal Kepitipola said that eminent speakers internationally well-known in the industry will address the IAPH meeting and will also attract key industry players .

Representative of the SEMA' transport and logistic cluster Rohan Masakorala said that after the end of the conflict Sri Lanka has improved its infrastructure including the ports. Now we should market Sri Lanka internationally to attract business.

"Our position and port infrastructure are sufficient to make Sri Lanka a shipping and logistic hub and SIASLE 1012 is an ideal platform to showcase this," he said.

DHL, McLarens Shipping Ltd and GAC Logistics Ltd are the co-partners of the SIASLE 2012 exhibition. The exhibition is organised by SEMS-Global. To boost international trade and transshipment businesses, a developed logistic framework is extremely important for any country to grow.

Therefore SIASLE 2012 will be the most prestigious and exclusive international exhibition devoted to the air freight, shipping and logistic sector of Sri Lanka and will make a perfect networking platform for creating new logistic networks, create new business connections and expand trade co-operation" said group director, global operations of SEMS S.S.Sarwar.

This international exhibition will showcase shipping and freight forwarding companies/ agents, shipping liners, warehouse, bond depot and cold storages, container, tank and bulk international trade ports, wharfs including cargo terminal, trucking, railway transport, airlines, cross border transportation, customs clearance, brokers/ companies, software/ IT, transportation and logistic automation, couriers and messengers, surveyors-marine associations, parking, crating and government agencies. (GW)