Expanding LPG to grassroots: Litro enters in strategic alliance with Co-op Dept
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s largest importer, supplier and market leader in LP Gas, Litro Gas Lanka Limited (LGLL) entered into a strategic business alliance with the Department of Co-operative Development Sri Lanka to expand Litro Gas Points of Sale at selected Co-op outlets. This win-win partnership enables Litro to broad base its market share by tapping into the rural segment which the Co-op network has a strong presence in.
While local LP Gas demand from the domestic segment is estimated to be around 100,000 cylinders daily, there is a high dependency from the rural sector on alternative cooking fuel such as firewood. The partnership was forged under the leadership and vision of LGLL’s Chairman & CEO, Anil Koswatte, who believes that LPG should no longer be a ‘luxury item’ in Sri Lanka.
“The Co-op network in Sri Lanka is widespread to all parts of the country and this is greatly beneficial for us to fulfill our vision of converting every household from using firewood which is hazardous to nature and health to more safer, cleaner LP Gas,” he said.
Describing it as a mutually beneficial venture, he said Litro gets to leverage on Co-op’s elaborate network of outlets while empowering Co-op in areas of marketing and technology to offer customers a premium service akin to Litro which is a thriving State-Owned-Enterprise and market leader with colossal and diverse experience and insight to boot.
Under the initiative, Litro Gas will fund the building of fully-fledged Points of Sale at selected Co-Op outlets in keeping with the stringent Litro Gas Health, Safety and Environment guidelines. This is expected to provide a much needed facelift to most Co-op outlets around the country giving them a modern, contemporary appeal and ambiance.
Under the current expansion, 40 Multi-Purpose Co-operative Services (MPCS) Litro Gas Outlets were established in the Anuradhapura district and handed over to Department of Co-operative Development Sri Lanka to manage. The program kicked off in the Colombo District with the Kolonnawa MPCS Litro Gas Outlet being declared open by Koswatte recently.