Tobias Pierlings, Director and Head of Division for South Asia and Southeast Asia at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, along with a delegation from the German Embassy in Sri Lanka, visited Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week to explore potential business opportunities and assess the port’s capabilities.
During the visit, Bindu Ranasinghe, Deputy General Manager Commercial and Marketing of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), provided an in-depth briefing on the port’s recent advancements. Discussions focused on the growth in RORO, bulk, oil and gas cargo handling, as well as the port’s expanding container operations, which are aligned with the development of the industrial zone.
Ranasinghe noted, “The visit provided the German delegation with firsthand experience of the developments at HIP. We explored future opportunities for German businesses, including our planned expansions and investments in various sectors like container operations.”
The delegation also reviewed HIP’s rapid growth as a commercial hub, with a focus on the expanding cruise sector. This expansion has opened up business prospects for several aligned industries. Ranasinghe also highlighted the tripling of local employment at the port since HIPG took over.
The German delegation included Olaf Malchow, Deputy Head of Mission Counsellor at the German Embassy in Colombo, Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of Delegation from German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka, along with other trade and political advisors. The group was given an overview of HIP’s state-of-the-art facilities and toured the complex from the 12th floor of the Maritime Centre Building.