Sunday Times 2
Dellogistics hosts CPN global conference with focus on making Lanka a regional shipping and logistics hub
View(s):Sri Lanka’s emergence as a prime shipping and logistics hub in South Asia was the underlying theme when Dellogistics International convened a global conference in Colombo recently for members of the Cargo Partners Network (CPN) Group consisting of more than 100 companies across the world.
The 22nd Annual Global Conference at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo saw company representatives coming together for over four days of deliberations and holding intense one-on-one business meetings. CPN, headed by Ken Singh, was established in 1996. It has evolved to be a leading freight logistics network, representing a wide cross section of the logistics industry in key geographical areas.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Dellogistics International officials
The conference was ceremonially declared open by State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene in the presence of the CPN, directors of CPN and Dellogistics Chairperson Avanthi Jayatilake. The Dellogistics team headed by CEO Shane Gunaratna ensured that all participating delegates were provided with maximum comfort to engage in business negotiations throughout the conference.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Chief Guest and Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga the Guest of Honour at the gala dinner sponsored by Dellogistics. The Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech by tracing the origins and the historical development of the logistics and transport industry in the country from ancient times and highlighted contemporary issues such as Free Trade Agreements and the One Belt One Road Initiative by China. In a wide ranging speech, he also highlighted the future growth potential in the context of Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the region.
The conference came to an end with a full day training session conducted for the benefit of delegates by Thomas Sim, a renowned trainer in logistics and international trade.
he is seen with some of the CPN delegates at a gala dinner where he delivered the keynote address