This Project was proposed by me in 1998 to the Government of Sri Lanka after my experience in the Garment Industry, Shipping, Freight Forwarding and Clearance for a period 10 years, and found that a few Garment Buyers from USA, Canada and Europe Countries were placing the same (Style) Orders at the same time to all the South Asian Countries [Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan] subject to the capacity, time, Quota (The Quota system has now been abolished) and the Season.  

Also I found that all these shipments were shipped at the  same time in the form of loose cargo, 20’ and 40’ Containers. Since I am a professional in Accounting, I found that these Buyers are loose time and money substantially on clearance of these Shipments at their end. 

At this juncture, I thought as to why Sri Lanka cannot look forward to bring all these shipments to Sri Lanka and do bulk shipments to the Buyers since Sri Lanka has all the infrastructure, human resources, expertise, and the capacity in shipping.  

Also I identified that by implementing the above projects, the following benefits and development will be available for both Buyers and the Country: 

·        Substantial reduction in the cost of freight, clearance and transport to the Buyers

·        Substantial time savings to  the Buyers

·        Substantial increase in the Shipping Business which may lead to 24 hours operation in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority

·        Other business such as Brokering, Bunkering, Chattering, Air Cargo and ship owning will be improved gradually.

·        Ship Building would also take place gradually

·        Other Sub Ports, such as Tincimalee, Ampara, Hampantota, Galle, Point Pedro and Mannar will be developed automatically. 

With all the above developments, there will be potential for the following: 

o   To think about to convert all the Ports to Free Ports

o   To improve the standard of living of the people substantially, new employment opportunities and economic growths  

It will be interesting to note that somewhere in the year of 2000 or 2001 the undersigned met the former Commerce & Trade Minister – Hon. Ravi Karunanayke who is also a Shipper in profession and explained the above Projects and he was pleased to listen carefully and showed his interest but later the undersigned came to know that Mr Karunanayke has started his own Multi Country Consolidation in Tea Exports 

In order to implement the above Project, initially we have to organize formal Meetings to discuss this matter in detail with the following and for further analysis and to work out the attractive rates and facilities to offer to the Buyers 

§ Ministry of Shipping

§ Officials of Sri Lanka Ports Authority

§ Leading Shipping Air Cargo Companies or Freight Forwarders and Shipping Associations\

§ Board of Investment

§ Sri Lanka Export Development Board

§ Ministry of Infrastructure Development

§ Any other Institutions, if necessary.  

Once this is finalized, we have to organize Seminars and Meetings with the selected major Buyers from USA, Canada, UK, Germany and France and convince them through our Embassies in these Countries together with the above Delegates.