Business
China Merchants Group chairman visits HIP
The highest ranking official from the China Merchants Group (CMG) visited the Hambantota International Port on an inspection tour of the facility last week. Chairman Miao Jianmin was welcomed by Johnson Liu, CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and staff of the port.
CMG is the parent company of CMPort which has a public private partnership with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for Hambantota International Port. Founded in 1872 as China’s first commercial corporation, CMG is the pioneer of national industry and commerce in China. The Group continues to play a significant role in modern China’s economic and social development, pushing China forward in many historic moments.
CMG’s Chairman Miao Jianmin’s visit included a tour of the port’s tank farm, oil jetty, RORO terminal, and the newly opened duty free shopping complex. Speaking at the event, he said that the China Merchants Group, through its two major projects, CICT and Hambantota International Port, will continue to make further investments in the South Asian region. The Group plans to actively promote cooperation with international high-quality enterprises such as Sinopec and focus on RORO, bulk cargo, oil and gas, development of container handling, industrial park, and maritime services. It is the Group’s mission to build a world-class comprehensive port, with continuously improving supply chain services.
CMG has now extended its operations globally to emerging sectors such as big health and testing services. The Group’s major indicators grew steadily, with annual operating revenue reaching 959.01 billion yuan by the end of 2022, up by 3.2% year on year. Total profits were 219.28 billion yuan, up 3.3% year on year; net profits were 179.61 billion yuan, up 5.9% year on year; and total assets were 12.4 trillion yuan, up 8.1% year on year. The Chairman attributed these achievements to the contribution and efforts of every frontline employee of CMG and its subsidiary companies.
Today, the China Merchants Group has over 280,000 employees worldwide. Chairman Miao Jianmin emphasised that employees are a most critical resource of an enterprise, and CMG, across all its subsidiary companies has provided all-round and multi-level support to ensure employee development. In 2022, the Group identified four priorities, i.e. strategy of talent resources, talent structure, talent investment, and talent system innovation, with the aim of comprehensively promoting the construction of its talent teams. The platform of China Merchants Group, allows opportunity, encourages hard work, within an environment that is conducive for achieving excellent results, the chairman further said.
He also spoke of the importance CMG as a group places on employee safety, especially in terms of HIP’s oil terminal and tank farm operations. Research and exploration of safety management are vital to continuously improve safety systems and security measures to ensure a safe work environment.
HIPG’s global partner, China Merchants Ports Holdings Company Limited (CMPort), has a growing presence in South Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean and South America with a network of 42 ports spanning 25 countries and regions.
Chairman Miao Jianmin’s entourage included CMG Vice Presidents Deng Renjie and Feng Boming, and Wang Xiufeng, CEO of CMPort. Johnson Liu, CEO of HIPG and Ravi Jayawickreme, CEO of HIPS were also in attendance at the event.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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