UK Logistics Giant Goldstar Transport Sets up a Joint Venture in Sri Lanka. Transport & Logistics Contribute 10pct to Sri Lanka’s Economy

20th March 2011, www.island.lk

UK based logistics giant Goldstar Transport is bullish on Sri Lanka believing the post-conflict economic boom provided plenty of opportunities and the island has the potential to become a logistical hub in the region.

"The transport and logistics sector contributes 10 percent to Sri Lanka’s economy and accounts for 12 to 14 percent of employee participation out of the total workforce. With the post war economic boom in Sri Lanka an expansion in transportation will boost economic activity and create more job opportunities and additional value to the country, Goldstar Transport Ltd said in a joint statement announcing a joint venture with Global Transportation & Logistics (Pvt) Ltd to form Goldstar Transport Lanka (Pvt) Ltd at Global Park in Seeduwa recently.

Goldstar Transport Lanka is Head Quartered in Sri Lanka at No. 182, Negombo Road, Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa and is headed by Ravi Karuanayake MP as its Chairman and Simon Day as the Managing Director. They both have a vision of making Goldstar Transport Lanka, Sri Lanka’s leading transport operator and the logical choice for customers whether they are a freight forwarder or a manufacturer that needs help in transportation in Sri Lanka.

The Chairman of Goldstar Transport Lanka, Ravi Karuanayake, having started his career in the freight forwarding industry 22 years ago, also ventured into logistics 11 years ago. This lead to the opening of the global park, which is a Sri Lanka-based Logistics Centre and ‘Hub’ fully bonded with ‘State of the Art’ finishing facilities to the Apparel Industry. It is today a major warehouse in the region, providing customers the necessary quality standards that are described as being par excellence by their worldwide clientele that includes at present many leading global brands.

Karunanayake, who is also a United National Party MP, said that Sri Lanka was well placed in both the shipping and aviation routes and this provides a tremendous opportunity to the transportation industry.

"Today we need to have wider perspectives and use smarter initiatives to put Sri Lanka back on the world map .With the vast potential from aviation to navigation and from cargo transportation to logistics, we must aim to make Sri Lanka a giant hub and attract new business to become a global hub in logistics services," the opposition MP said.

Director Matthew Ashworth said he was extremely excited with this new venture and strongly believed that Goldstar Transport Lanka will make a big impact in the transport industry in Sri Lanka.

"Goldstar Transport Ltd was formed in 1998 by a management team that had a proven track record in large volume, multi-customer container transport. They currently have an annual turnover in excess of £60 million and regularly handles over 900 movements per day for a varied customer base from major shipping lines to smaller niche market operators specializing in refrigerated soft fruits, footwear and class one fireworks. Goldstar Transport’s new Traffic System, offers direct customer job input, online tracking of delivery’s and real time updates of delivery progress..Goldstar Transport has large volumes ,operating for all the major freight forwarding companies in the world." Ashworth said.

The company said its Sri Lankan operation has a quality fleet of Mercedes Benz prime movers not previously seen in Sri Lanka. The company has superior systems and technology such as IT systems that enable electronic data transfer, online real-time tracking of jobs and instant online POD facility providing customers accountability and attention to detail. With their biggest strength being their professional and dedicated staff, the company is confident by combing the strength and strategies of both organizations, they can become one that is on the forefront of the transportation industry in Sri Lanka, the joint statement said.