August 10, 2020: NDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maersk recently under NDB’s Jayagamu Sri Lanka initiative to support exporters with services and expertise in the shipping sector.
NDB Bank’s Vice President of SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking, Indika Ranaweera said, “Developing the SME sector in Sri Lanka by providing tailor-made solutions has always been an important aspect of the NDB initiative.”
“With a reach of 343 ports globally in 120 countries, Maersk connects Sri Lanka to the world and offers solutions in inland transport, Customs and regulatory clearance, warehousing, consolidation and distribution globally to exporters,” he said.
Maersk will also assist the NDB Exporters Network by connecting Sri Lankan exporters with global buyers, providing contact details, providing Sri Lankan exporters with knowledge on the regulations of different countries and product standards.
Maersk will also provide training on making business pitches, logistic services, pick up from customer facilities, consolidation when required, warehousing in Sri Lanka and if required at destination, container storage solutions, Customs and regulatory clearance, placing of booking, handling of freight, full container load, loose container load, and air freight and inland transportation in Sri Lanka and other destinations.
In terms of network connections and training, Maersk would be free in the view of partnering the development of the Sri Lankan economy. Twill, a digital logistics solution from Maersk, offers customers door-to-door logistics solutions over land and sea. Twill gives access to customers to obtain quotes with transparent pricing, easy online booking, greater control of shipments through tracking services, simplified digital documentation, access to the wide and solid network of Maersk and proactive 24/7 customer care.
Twill will make global trade less complex, faster, cost-effective and accessible for SMEs in Sri Lanka by offering them a digital, end-to-end logistics solution.
To further assist the SMEs with the complexity of managing their supply chains, Maersk is also launching Maersk Flow – a digital platform which provides customers and their partners with everything they need to take control of their supply chain, from factory to market.
Country Manager Maersk Sri Lanka, Siddharth Iyer said, “The entrepreneurial potential of the SMEs in Sri Lanka could contribute strongly to the country’s economic growth. We want to provide them with access to international trade by eliminating the complexity in supply chains and making international markets accessible to them.”
Source: Sunday Observer
