Good demand for bitumen in world market

Charumini de Silva

Chairman/ Managing Director Bitumix (Pvt) Ltd, Ashoka Siriwardena

To be in the bitumen industry needs expertise and knowledge. Therefore, he worked in Sri Lanka and New Zealand in similar fields. Then after staying a few years in New Zealand he thought he should come back to Sri Lanka and serve.

At the time road constructions was also booming and he had a better chance of entering into the industry again.

He set up Bitumix in 2000 and it was his dream to run a company of his own. Bitumix Chairman/Managing Director, Ashoka Siriwardena shares his views in this column today. Excerpts of the interview.

Q: What are the opportunities available for industrialists in bitumen industry?

A: Bitumen industry itself is a specialized field. It is an important factor in road construction and requires much expert knowledge.

This industry needs various production expertises to have good process control.

There are not much modified varieties of bitumen in Sri Lanka compared to other countries.

Sri Lanka still uses the traditional methods in constructing the roads when compared to other developed countries.

As the Government has initiated mega projects in expanding the national road network, there is tremendous scope for those engaged in the bitumen industry. The bitumen that we use now could be improved according to the tropical climatic and rainy weather conditions.

Using of improved bitumen will reduce road maintenance cost, high levels of road safety and extended life span of the roads.

The industrialist should be capable enough to add value to the bitumen products as to offer high quality and dependable products.

Q: What are the opportunities available for bitumen products in the export market?

A: There is a good demand for bitumen in the international arena. Bitumix pioneered exporting processed Bitumen in Sri Lanka in 2005 under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. But, we had to bring it to an end as price of bitumen was increased above the international prices. However, if the Government allows importing raw material or providing bitumen for a reasonable price the industry could enter into the export market again.

Q: What are the challenges you face in the bitumen industry?

A: There is heavy competition in this industry as well. Since bitumen is used as a raw material the quality varies. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to achieve the quality of the final product. Retaining in the market is also another challenge.

Q: How did you enter into the industry?

A: I had a business background as my family was involved in business. To be in the bitumen industry one needs expertise and knowledge. Therefore, I worked in Sri Lanka and New Zealand in similar fields. Then after staying a few years in New Zealand I thought that I should come back to my motherland and serve. In the meantime road constructions were also booming and I had a better chance of entering the industry again. However, then I set up Bitumix in the year 2000 and it was my dream to have a company of my own.

Q: Bitumix opened a new factory. How many jobs were created through the new factory?

A: This is not an industry which is labour-intensive as bitumen is dealt more with machinery. By setting up the new factory we created jobs for over 15 people and the total staff accounts to 95 employees. Bitumen is mainly improved technically since it is a raw material.

Q: What is your philosophy in life?

A: I am a Buddhist. Therefore, my philosophy is that every human being should live with a dignity according to the eight facts of life (Ata lo dhahama).

Q: What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?

A: Sri Lanka being an emerging economy has many opportunities for the young generation. Manufacturing dependable products, high quality products, putting the fullest effort and by liking whatever they do can have a brighter future in any industry they engage in. Step by step they could achieve a higer status in the society.

Q: What is the place you like to visit most in Sri Lanka?

A: Hill country especially Nuwara Eliya.

Q: Which country do you like to visit most?

A: India since we have a similar culture, places to visit, food, music and warm people like Sri Lankans.

Q: What do you do in your leisure?

A: I read, watch television and take better care of my physical fitness.