National policy framework for SME development gets Cabinet nod: Rishad

A programme aimed at stimulating growth of the SME sector that will enable entrepreneurs to compete locally as well as internationally through government engagement and support will get underway soon, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said.

Marketing trends to watch out for in 2017

One reason I enjoy working in the marketing and branding field is that the work is never the same.  The way entrepreneurs market their products and reach their customers continuously changes – good for those who stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends but bad for those who refuse to evolve. So what’s in store for 2017? Here are six marketing trends you should pay attention to:

CIM Sri Lanka hosts inaugural Principals’ Forum on new age education

Understanding the pivotal role school Principals play as decision makers in schools, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka recently hosted its inaugural Principals’ Forum under the theme ‘The new age education’ in December at the Hilton Colombo Residences.

Be alert and respond when blip moving out fast from radar screen

Last week, we reviewed three types of zones on business renewal: Anticipation, Adaptation, and Reaction.  This week also we continue on the same point. 

Stuart Chapman to steer Janashakthi Life

Janashakthi Insurance PLC, a leading Insurance provider in Sri Lanka, announced the appointment of Stuart Chapman as Director/Chief Executive Officer for its Life Business with effect from January, 1, 2017.

Deutsche Bank to pay US $95 million to end U.S. tax fraud case

REUTERS: Deutsche Bank AG agreed to pay US $95 million to resolve a U.S. government lawsuit accusing the German bank of tax fraud for using “insolvent” shell companies to hide significant tax liabilities from the Internal Revenue Service in 2000.

ComBank’s 256th branch opens in Point Pedro

Point Pedro now has its own Commercial Bank branch, following the opening of the bank’s 256thbranch in this Northern port town.

Amãna Bank opens newest branch in Kirulapone

Amãna Bank expanded its reach in Colombo by opening a branch in Kirulapone recently. 

FAA grants SpaceX license to resume rocket launches today

REUTERS: Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket company has been cleared to resume flying following a launch pad explosion four months ago, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday. The decision clears SpaceX to attempt to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 10 Iridium Communications Inc satellites as early as Monday, a day later than originally planned.

Etisalat launches aggressive expansion drive island wide

Strengthening its mobile connectivity island-wide and enabling faster and seamless mobile internet services, Etisalat Lanka announced its improved point-to-point connectivity expansion with the inclusion of 300 towers to its existing network across the country. 

SLTC plans to produce technologists via massive expansion drive

Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) in Padukka, which plans to expand the campus in two stages with investments of Rs. 200 million and US $ 65 million respectively, said it intends producing technologists, which is a novel profession in Sri Lanka.

OPPO mobiles make great strides in Sri Lankan market

Ever-evolving smart phone brand OPPO, has seen its brand presence in Sri Lanka grow and increase while engaging more with its audiences throughout 2016.

ICE Technologies recognized as Best HP Designjet Partner

ICE Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd was awarded the Best HP Designjet Printer Business Partner award for 2016 at the annual HP awards night, which was held at Heritance Negombo recently.

Kaymu ties up with eZ Cash

Kaymu.lk has joined the eZ Cash network enabling Kaymu customers to pay for goods and services using their eZ Cash account.

Unilever infuses spice into Galle Literary Festival

Literature is replete with descriptions of food or paeans about the importance of food. 

CH17 inks deal with MyDeal.lk to widen product offerings

In a bid to expand the retail merchant network and provide a wider choice of products with a multitude of great deals to its membership, CH17 has entered into a partnership with MyDeal.lk. 

Pelwatte Dairy uplifts Sri Lanka’s dairy industry

Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd, a leading manufacturer of locally produced dairy products has since its inception supported the local dairy industry and is on a quest to making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in milk.

Umaya Enterprises wins excellence award

Umaya Enterprises was honoured with the excellence award as the most outstanding company for its contribution towards Sri Lanka’s transport (rent a car) sector at the FLAME Awards – 2016 held in Colombo recently. 

Reforms key to meeting govt.’s development goals, says WB Country Director

Mirror Business recently met with World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough for a brief interview over the World Bank’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Sri Lanka and her take on the country’s development agenda. Following are the excerpts from the interview.  

Sri Lanka to attract 2.5mn tourists in 2017 despite snags

Sri Lanka is hoping to achieve 2.5 million tourist arrivals this year on the back of the much delayed and amended Rs. 800 million tourism promotions campaign which will be launched this June, Sri Lanka Tourism officials said this week.

Dismantling tallest Christmas tree

The Christmas tree at Galle Face, Colombo, which was hailed as the world’s tallest, is currently being dismantled, although Guinness World Records had told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka has yet to apply for the achievement. The tree was constructed at a cost of Rs. 12 million, which was marred in controversy as the Archbishop of Colombo had called the exercise a waste of money, which had divided public opinion. Pic by Damith Wickramasinghe

Floods spark chaos as Thailand’s peak tourist season arrives

AFP - Thai authorities yesterday warned of flash floods across the south as torrential rains lashed the region leaving at least six people dead, delaying flights and disrupting holidays during peak tourist season.

iflix premieres latest science fiction drama Aftermath

iflix, the world’s leading Internet TV service for Southeast Asia, offering subscribers unlimited access to thousands of TV shows, movies and more, is thrilled to premiere its latest science fiction drama, Aftermath, available only on iflix. 

MH370 search to end in two weeks: official

AFP - The hunt for missing flight MH370 will end in two weeks, Malaysia’s transport minister said yesterday, as relatives of passengers demanded authorities push on with the search. 

China sets biggest one-day yuan increase in over decade

AFP - China yesterday hiked the yuan against the dollar in its biggest one-day increase since 2005, after the greenback fell against leading currencies the previous day. 

ILO to publish World Employment and Social Outlook report

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is to launch its report, ‘World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2017’, on January 12th. 

Rupee falls on dollar demand from foreign banks, importers

REUTERS: The Sri Lankan rupee traded weaker yesterday due to dollar buying by foreign banks and importers, but the Central Bank’s moral suasion continued to prevent further decline, days after the monetary authority signalled a change in its intervention policy.

Canada not afraid of Trump-induced US investor flight

AFP - Canada’s international trade minister said Thursday that pressure by US President-elect Donald Trump would not keep American firms from investing in Canada or prompt them to withdraw any investments already made. “The fact that Canada is now one of the countries in the world that supports an open society and open trade is a good reason to invest in Canada,” Chrystia Freeland told a press conference.

BOC Christian Association holds 51st Christmas carol service

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Christian Association celebrated its 51st Christmas carol service recently. The first carols service was held on December 17, 1965. 

Leo Art 8th edition to take place at Galle Literary Fest

Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide, is gearing up to host the eighth edition of Leo Art at the Galle Literary Festival, which brings the creative community, writers and artists from across the island and around the world together annually at the historic Dutch Fort in Galle.