SABIT 2025 South Asia’s Bitumen Future Takes Centre Stage
The inaugural South Asia Bitumen Conference (SABIT 2025), held on 13–14 November at Cinnamon Life in Colombo, has now concluded with resounding success. As the first dedicated gathering for the region’s bitumen and asphalt community, the event delivered a comprehensive overview of market conditions, supply chain challenges, technology trends and emerging opportunities across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Delegates left Colombo with a clearer understanding of South Asia’s fast-evolving position in the global bitumen landscape.
The timing could hardly have been more relevant. South Asia’s infrastructure investment continues to rise sharply, driven by national road programmes, economic corridors, port access upgrades and widespread urban expansion. India’s highway development remains one of the world’s most ambitious, Pakistan continues strengthening its logistics backbone, Bangladesh is pushing ahead with strategic connectivity projects and Sri Lanka is progressing recovery-linked investments. SABIT 2025 became the platform where these themes converged, enabling stakeholders to reflect on collective challenges and explore new partnerships.
Opening Addresses Set the Stage
Proceedings began with a networking reception on 13 November, supported by a SABIT Golf Game that brought delegates together even before the formal sessions commenced. The following morning, the official programme opened with an address from Hon. Bimal Rathnayaka, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation. His remarks underlined the country’s ambition to strengthen its regional relevance and attract deeper collaboration across the value chain.
Mr T. Paskaran, Chairman of the Road Development Authority, delivered the keynote address, offering insight into national priorities and the wider role of resilient, well-managed road assets in South Asia’s economic growth. Their contributions framed the discussions that unfolded throughout the day, highlighting the importance of shared strategies as the region’s infrastructure needs continue to expand.
Market Outlook, Trade and Technology in Focus
SABIT 2025 brought together more than 15 experts to analyse the most pressing themes affecting South Asia’s bitumen markets. Their presentations explored refining capacity developments, procurement strategies, multimodal logistics, sustainable paving solutions and the increasingly important policy frameworks shaping material quality and environmental responsibilities.
Discussions repeatedly pointed to tightening supply–demand balances, the shifting nature of trade flows and the need for transparent, predictable procurement. Delegates also examined the rise of warm-mix asphalt technologies, polymer modification, emulsions and rejuvenators as countries work to reduce emissions while enhancing the longevity of their road networks.
The diversity of participating organisations demonstrated the event’s breadth. Speakers represented:
- Road Development Authority
- Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
- John Keells Holdings
- Ceylon Institute of Builders
- Attock Refinery Limited
- Hambantota International Port Group
- Roads and Highways Department Bangladesh
- Bapco Refining
- Hiin Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
- Richmond Mercantile Ltd
- VFORM Consultants Pte Ltd
- Bitumix Private Ltd
- Gayatram Pte Ltd
- Access Engineering PLC
- China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd
These insights helped paint a comprehensive picture of a regional market experiencing both rapid expansion and increasingly complex operational demands.
Strong Industry and Institutional Backing
Endorsements from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Institute of Builders, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents, the Sri Lanka Philippines Business Council, YoungShip Sri Lanka and others reinforced SABIT’s standing as a trusted gathering for decision-makers. Support from the Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore further strengthened the event’s strategic positioning.
The exhibition featured Hormozgan Bitumen Industrial Producing Co., while media partnerships with World Petroleum and Bitumen Journal, Highways Today, FiiNews and WorldOils ensured broad visibility across the sector. This coalition of industry stakeholders contributed to high-quality discussions and robust engagement across all sessions.
Delegate Reflections Strengthen the Event’s Impact
The recap of SABIT 2025 would be incomplete without acknowledging the delegates whose feedback captured the value of the event. Their comments, reorganised with the speaker first for clarity, reflect a shared appreciation for the depth of content, quality of organisation and opportunities for meaningful interaction.
- NHS Chandana, QA Manager – Technical Department, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd South Asia and Southeast Asia, said: “The event was professionally curated and provided valuable insights into regional developments and technical advancements. We especially commend the seamless coordination, venue arrangements, and speaker engagement throughout the program.”
- Faris Hussain, Export and Marketing, National Refinery Limited Pakistan, said: “Business networking and market insights. It was a nice and very informative event, and well managed as well. Hope to see such informational and great events in future as well.”
- Bob Khan, General Manager, Richmond Mercantile Ltd FZC, said: “Very good Forum to bring experts in one room including Minister.”
- Ashoka Siriwardena, Managing Director, Bitumix Pvt Ltd, said: “As an importer, trader and manufacturer of Bitumen based products for Sri Lankan market, I attended SABIT 2025 to meet industry stakeholders and update my knowledge. I am happy about the outcome.”
- Abdullatif Mohamed, Senior Commercial Sales Trader, Bapco Refining, said: “One of the best meeting platforms to listen to valuable speakers and meet the major players of bitumen.”
- Kasun Dissanayake, Chairman and Managing Director, GKUC International Ltd:, said “New knowledge about bitumen industry, new suppliers, good connection.”
- Prasana Karunatilake, Executive Vice President, Asha Agencies, said: “I got very valuable insights on bitumen trade, bitumen market outlook and it was useful to listen to some very knowledgeable people involved in bitumen trade.”
- Dipak Kumar Basu, Vice President – Business Development, Tiki Tar and Shell India Pvt Ltd, said: “Market dynamics, pros and cons of individual countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India etc. Also the opportunity available in each country.”
- A. S. Prabhakar, Retired General Manager, HPCL India: “Exposure to market dynamics of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bahrain was eye opening for us.”
- Damitha Gamage, Manager – Logistics and Commercial, Access Engineering PLC, said: “The conference was well organized and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Future Collaboration
SABIT 2025’s success demonstrates the urgent need for a unified regional platform where market intelligence, technological advancements and policy developments can be shared openly. Delegates agreed that collaboration will be central to strengthening supply chains, improving material quality and supporting the next wave of infrastructure delivery across South Asia.
Conference Connection and Helanka Vacations extend their appreciation to all speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and media partners whose contributions ensured the strong impact of the inaugural event. SABIT has now established itself as the region’s essential meeting point for stakeholders shaping the future of bitumen and asphalt.
