With a steady increase in vessels calling at the Hambantota International Port (HIP), and the port’s industrial park attracting numerous FDI projects, HIP has tied up with Royale Electronics Ltd., to establish a duty-free shop in their bonded area.
The agreement was signed last week and the new facility will be opened for operations in the first quarter of 2023.
“The duty-free facility will be a new value addition, directly for cruise ships, since most vessels calling at the port rarely have crew or passengers moving beyond the customs/immigration area. We believe even passengers and crews of cruise ships will see the advantage of shopping within the port’s bonded area.
“Especially so, since our duty free complex partner plans to offer very competitive prices,” says HIPG CEO Johnson Liu, adding that the port has to date signed over 40 project agreements with various investors which is bound to increase movement at HIP.
HIP is also positioning itself for cruise ship tourism and is expected to triple calls in 2023.
Royale Electronics Ltd., a Sri Lankan company incorporated in 1997, envisions expanding its network across all connecting and international airports and seaports in Sri Lanka. Royale Electronics Chairman/MD Oliver Fernando says: “We plan to supply a wide range of the highest quality duty free items to ship crews and passengers calling at the Hambantota International Port, and the partnership will bring us closer to our mission of positioning as the leading duty free operator across all Sri Lankan Ports.”
Attending the signing ceremony were HIPG CEO Johnson Liu along with members of senior management and heads of departments of the port; and Royale Electronics Chairman/MD Patrick Oliver Fernando along with CEO Niroshan Jayaseelan and Director Arun Subash Fernando.
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