African Wings

Jan 16, 2007 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan firm, which has built a freight forwarding network spanning eight coastal African nations plans to rapidly expand further into the African hinterland this year. "But we have to spread our wings outside Sri Lanka to grow." "This year we want to go to Burundi, Sudan, Congo, Zambia." says Expolanka President Hanif Yusoof told LBO.

"I have shipments moving from Congo to Dar-es-Salaam port. I need to cover the entire line, so that across the borders our presence is there."

Expolanka which started as a fruit and vegetables exporter when Sri Lanka's economy was liberalized 1978, now has interests in freight forwarding, manufacturing, business process outsourcing and aviation.

The family-owned company which has kept a low profile until now says it has 40 offices in 16 countries, spanning the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa.

Its overseas expansion started with Bangladesh when it followed Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers into the country in 1993.

Freight forwarding has now become its flagshi