Expert panel on CBB-ECCSL webinar to offer greater clarity for logistics sector on navigating new Brexit landscape

A much-debated topic ever since the UK-wide referendum was passed in its favour in 2016, Brexit – the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (EU) – officially came into effect only early last year. Major implications have particularly been felt in the transport and logistics sectors, owing largely to changes in trade and goods flow in and out of the UK. 

The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL) and the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) have brought together an expert panel of global industry heads, with the aim to provide participants with greater insight into navigating this new business landscape successfully.

The Zoom webinar, titled ‘Brexit: Impact on Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain and the Way Forward’, will be held on 25 May at 3 p.m. Sri Lanka time, and will prove extremely beneficial to those within the business community with an interest in trading with the UK. 

A key market for Sri Lanka, Europe is the largest recipient of the country’s exports. The UK alone is its second largest trading partner, with textiles and clothing being the dominant goods being procured. Consequently, a fluctuation in these markets will also reflect on the logistics sector. 

For their first joint event, CBB and ECCSL set the bar with a line-up of expert panellists, each well-placed to offer valuable insight and advice on the topic. Participants will also be given the opportunity to post their questions for a more nuanced and constructive experience.

The speakers at the webinar include: 

• GEFCO Customs and Tax Director Olivier Thouard: Thouard is also the Chair of the Transport et Logistique de France (TLF) Overseas International and European Affairs Commission, and since 2017 has been Chair of the TLF Overseas Brexit Working Group 
• UK Transport in Europe CEO Mark Watts: Watts has worked at senior levels on transport policy, and on UK, EU and international regulation for over 25 years. He was also elected a Member of the European Parliament for two terms and was a member of various Parliamentary Committees
• DHL UK Head of Customs Steve Parker: During Parker’s 40 years in the industry, he worked closely with both UK Customs and the EU Commission. He is Chair of the Customs Policy Group for the British International Freight Association (BIFA), the UK Freight Forwarders’ Association, and of the Customs Affairs Institute at the International Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations (FIATA)
• DLH Logistics Group, Sri Lanka Chairman and Managing Director Diren Hallock: Hallock is a former President of both the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Sri Lanka. He is also a former Chair of the Federation of Asia Pacific Freight Association and the South Asia Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations

The event will be moderated by CILT Sri Lanka Immediate Past Chairperson Gayani de Alwis. De Alwis is also the Global Chairperson of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) and was the Founding Chairperson of WiLAT Sri Lanka.

CBB and ECCSL are joined by A. Baur & Co., and HSBC as Corporate Sponsors of the webinar, Flexicare Lanka as Platinum Sponsor, and Blue Lotus 360 as Digital Partner.

Tickets for ‘Brexit: Impact on Transport, Logistics, and Supply Chain and the Way Forward’ are priced at Rs. 1,500 for members of the CBB or ECCSL, and Rs. 2,500 for non-members. Interested participants can register online at event.chamber.lk/Register/Event/92.

For further details on the webinar, please contact 11 558 8861 or e-mail [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected].