CILT delegation attends Macao Int’l Convention

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) held its International Convention recently in Macao at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Cotai Central. 

One of the world’s most famous free ports, Macao is a fascinating blend of industries and cultures, a jewel on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. This year’s theme of the convention was ‘Smart Journey - Belt and Road’. 

The convention focused on two of the most important developments currently making an impact on the Logistics and Transport industry; the rise of smart technology and the ambitious One Belt One Road(OBOR) initiative. CILT conducts its annual convention in a member country in rotation every year.Sri Lanka hosted the convention in June 2013 after it became a territory. 

There was a very interesting mix of items in the four day program including Guest International Speakers, Workshops and Interactive Breakout Sessions. Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Forum and Young Professionals’ Forum (YPF) conventions started off in parallel sessions ahead of the CILT International Convention. This year’s Convention was attended by over 250 foreign delegates from 29 of its member countries. The delegates had ample opportunities to interact with international participants representing corporates, academia and government sector and the military,and get actively involved in shaping the future of CILT and its industry.

This year’s 11 member CILT SL delegation was the highest Sri Lanka ever attended a convention including WiLAT and YPF members and was represented by CILT SL Chairman Lasitha Cumaratunga, CILT SL International Vice President Romesh David, CILT SL Vice Chairperson Gayani de Alwis, CILT SL Immediate Past Chairman Niral Kadawatharatchi, WiLAT SL Vice Chairperson Niroza Gazzali, WiLAT SL Secretary Amra Zareer, WiLAT SL Treasurer Gayathri Karunanayake, YPF SL Chairman Biman Hettiarachchi, WiLAT ExCo Co-opted Member Manjari Nigamuni, WiLAT ExCo Co-opted Member Shakkya Perera and Member Rishantha Mendis. 
CILT also awarded a travel scholarship to a young undergraduate mentee from WiLAT to attend the convention.   

There were many speakers of international repute addressing at the convention. CCTA Executive Vice Chairman Prof. De-Rong Wang, Australia RMIT University Prof. Taewoo Paul Lee, Hong Kong MTR Academy President Morris Cheung, Kühne Logistics University Prof. Kai Hoberg and CILT Singapore Chairman Karmjit Singh were some of the speakers at this year’s Global Convention. CILT Sri Lanka Vice Chairperson Gayani De Alwis was also an invited speaker and she spoke about Sri Lanka’s perspective on Belt and Road initiative. De Alwis mentioned that Sri Lanka is right at the center of the global east west maritime route with 50 percent of global containerized traffic moving pass Hambantota. Being strategically located at the tip of South Asia, Sri Lanka was in the past a natural port of call for silk route navigators. She mentioned that the belt and road initiative will enable Sri Lanka to get connected to international value chains and provide the much needed connectivity required for rapid economic growth in the country.

CILT Outgoing International Past President Paul Brooks was awarded the Pegasus medal for his services and CILT Kazakhstan was awarded territorial status at the convention. This year’s CILT convention also had a new segment where an opportunity was given to CILT chapters to showcase their best practices at an Idea Exchange. Sri Lanka team showcased WiLAT SL’s globally renowned ‘Ignite’ mentoring program and this initiative won the best entry of the poster competition. Sri Lankan team also took part in the ‘We Got Talent’ organized by WiLAT Hong Kong for the participants to showcase their talents. Sri Lankan team performed a traditional dance act under the theme ‘Pooja - a Fusion of Blue Rays’ which depicted a blend of cultural dance and music and won the award for the ‘Best Originality and Creativity’. 

The delegates also had the opportunity to take part in a technical visit to Hong Kong which included a visit to Hong Kong Airlines, Kwai Chung Modern Terminals, MTC OCC at Tsing Yi and a Tram Ride. 
The CILT International Convention was an excellent opportunity for networking, to develop new international relationships and share experiences and best practices with colleagues across the CILT global family.