Six ways Asian economic cooperation changing the region

Asia is going through sweeping transformations that have altered its economic landscape in fundamental ways.

Pan Asia Bank launches Swashakthi credit facility scheme to support micro and SME businesses

Sri Lanka’s fastest growing and most innovative bank, Pan Asia Bank recently launched Swashakthi credit facility scheme under the government’s national programme to create one million employment opportunities via micro and SME businesses. 

Thirteen Lankan marcom professionals to attend Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

Hailed as the ‘Olympics of the advertising industry’, 13 Sri Lanka’s marketing communications professionals will be taking wings to the 64th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France which is to take place this month. 

WIM, IFC host leadership discussion, award entrepreneurs

As part of the 7th Professional and Career Women Awards 2017, Women in Management (WIM) and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, hosted a panel discussion ‘Women Leadership for the Changing World’ in Kandy, where five women who have championed the corporate sector as leaders, who are also WIM awardees, shared their experience in their journey to success. 

Coyle salutes PM and government for re-gaining GSP Plus

The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) expressed their appreciation on the re-implementation of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) by the EU this year stating that it presents both opportunities and challenges for Sri Lankan exporters.

IFS research reveals major differences in digital maturity across industries

IFS, the global enterprise applications company,reveals the findings of its Digital Change Surveythat polled 750 decision makers in 16 countriesto assess maturity of digital transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, aviation, construction and contracting, and service. 

CFA Institute recognizes Ravi Abeysuriya for contribution made to management profession

Ravi Abeysuriya, CFA, has been recognized by CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence, by receiving the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year Award from Paul H. Smith, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Frédéric P. Lebel, CFA, Chair, Board of Governors, on 19 May 2017 at the Society Leadership Conference held in Philadelphia, Penn

Unilever’s Arunella project works with communities on sustainable waste management

The Arunella Waste Management project spearheaded by Unilever Sri Lanka’s Ceytea Factory in Agarapathana recently eliminated completely the waste being dumped in and around the Kothmala Oya in the surrounding towns of Dayagama, Agarapathana, Gleinline, Holbrook and Nagasena.

Piling of the iconic 50-storey Capitol TwinPeaks completed ahead of schedule

Capitol Developers Limited’s latest 470 apartment twin tower project - Capitol TwinPeaks – is pleased to announce that it has completed the Piling stage fully and that construction is progressing steadily. 

Oman Air Champions IATA AGM 2017 as Exclusive Airline Partner

Oman Air stepped forward to facilitate the 2017 IATA Annual General Meeting as the Exclusive Airline Pared and much anticipated event amongst the IATA tner for the event. A highly-

Auxenta Opens New Office Dedicated to Product Innovation

Auxenta Inc, a Silicon Valley based IT company, recently moved to a new state-of-the-art office at 61, Level 1, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1. The modern workspace was designed to create an 

Bradby Fiesta Postponed - Fiesta Committee to help Flood Relief

The Bradby Fiesta carnival and after party organized to coincide with the 2nd leg of the Bradby shield encounter, scheduled for 03rd June 2017, has been postponed till further notice. “The Bradby Fiesta

Sanjay Wijemanne joins Fairway Holdings

Mr. Sanjay Wijemanne, the former Head of Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, will join Fairway Holdings’ as Group Director of Sales and Marketing. With his appointment, Fairway 

Christell introduces PRP therapy - a non-surgical procedure proven to rejuvenate skin and hair

The Christell Skin Clinic in Colombo has introduced PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for skin and hair. This ground-breaking advancement in medicine is a non-operative treatment that helps to

Mitko Homes launches ‘Bricksgate’ luxury apartments

Redefining the skylines of Wattala, Mitko Homes launched its luxury apartments project ‘Bricksgate’ to cater to the needs of modern city dwellers looking for the comfort and tranquillity of a life away from the busy metropolis.

Fine Furniture assures delivering satisfaction

The promise to make sure every brand and product that is represented at the Fine Furniture showroom would exceed the expectations and deliver the sort of satisfaction that is always desired by its consumers. Now, Fine Furniture opens doors and welcomes its customers to an even larger physical space designed to enthral with new perspectives of interior design and homeware. 

Construction Expo 2017 to begin on June 2

Sri Lanka’s largest and most focused constriction-related exhibition, Construction Expo 2017, featuring all aspects related to the construction and building industry, will be held on June 2, 3 and 4, at the BMICH.

Edirisinghe Brothers’ Hybrid Hub – A purpose-built facility for HEVs

Edirisinghe Brothers’ Hybrid Hub, which was introduced last year, is known to be the first and only purpose-built facility for hybrid and electrical vehicles (HEV) in Sri Lanka.It provides services such as hybrid battery testing, conditioning, rebuilding, etc. Automative Research and Design (AR&D) USA via its franchisor for Asia Pacific-Growth Dynamics (Singapore) and Optima Werkz (Singapore) are the training and supporting partners for

Using high-tech infrastructure to fight climate change

Climate change is a growing threat to prosperity in Asia and the Pacific. The region is the most vulnerable to the ravages of climate change. In fact, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that from 2006 to 2015, extreme climate-related weather events caused an annual US $ 46 billion in economic and social losses as well as over 330,000 fatalities in developing Asia.

No more ‘straight Aas’ for China?

On May 24, 2017, Moody’s Investors Service cut China’s long-term local currency and foreign currency issuer ratings from Aa3 to A1 and changed the outlook of the Chinese economy from negative to stable. Moody’s is not a teacher handing out report cards, but the feeling from losing ‘straight As’ is the same — unpleasant.

Three key policies to boost performance of South Asia’s ports

In a previous blog we related how South Asia as a whole had improved the performance of its container ports since 2000 but had still struggled to catch up with other developed and developing regions. But within that picture, some ports did better than others. 

Unilever’s Project Arunella Works with Communities on Sustainable Waste Management

The Arunella Waste Management project spearheaded by Unilever Sri Lanka’s Ceytea Factory in Agarapathanarecently achieved the complete elimination of waste being dumped in and around the   

TRC seizes wireless phones causing interruptions to mobile 3G network

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission seized 50 DECT6 wireless phones which caused harmful interferences to the 3G network used by the Sri Lankan mobile phones users. 

Apple opens first official store in South East Asia

AFP: Apple opened its first Southeast Asia store in Singapore recently, drawing hundreds of excited fans to the swanky two-storey site in the city’s upmarket shopping district.

ICTA signs MoU with FITIS on ‘Smart’ social circle

  The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), the nation’s apex ICT institution under the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of IT Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), the apex ICT Industry Association in Sri Lanka. 

Huawei’s eLTE SafeCity wins CCW2017 Future Technology Award

Huawei’s eLTE SafeCity solution won the ‘Future Technology Award’ at Critical Communications World 2017 which was presented by TCCA (TETRA and Critical Communications Association). This honour recognizes Huawei’s technical leadership and contribution to continued innovation in the area of critical communications.

Auxenta opens new office dedicated to product innovation

Auxenta Inc, a Silicon Valley based IT company recently moved to a new state-of-the-art office at 61, Level 1, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo. 

ComBank’s Exchange House in Italy appoints agent in Verona

Commex Sri Lanka S.R.L., Commercial Bank’s fully-owned subsidiary in Italy for money transfers, recently appointed Air Connect Travels & Tours of Via Valeggio, Verona, as its authorised agent in the city. 

HSBC Sri Lanka wins prestigious Asiamoney Award

HSBC Sri Lanka has been awarded as the Best International Bank by Asiamoney in the first Asiamoney Country Awards held this year. 

SDB bank embarks on new growth path

Sanasa Development Bank PLC (SDB bank) has secured US $ 22 million (approximately Rs.3.3 billion) from international lenders through a private placement deal in order to expand its capital base to meet the regulatory requirements.