Business
Sri Lanka to benefit from Blue Climate Fund
Japan’s Sojitz Corporation and Nippon Trading East have pledged to start a Blue Climate Fund to be implemented by Worldview International Foundation (WIF) and its community partners in Asia, Africa and Middle East.
Large Japanese corporations in the lead are making Sri Lanka a primary investment target in this initiative.
The initial capital of USD 25 million will be increased according to the needs. The fund targets support planting of 25,000 hectares of mangroves in Sri Lanka in partnership with Supreme Global Holdings Ltd.
Omar Qandeel of Nippon Trading Est. and Sojitz Corporation of Japan launched the Blue Carbon Fund by signing an MOU with WIF recently in support of the UN Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Goals.
The fund’s first investment will be in Sri Lanka in partnership with Supreme Global Holdings who will disburse the funds and execute the
project through its wholly own subsidiary ‘Mangrove Conservation & Restoration (Pvt) Ltd.
It is a dedicated impact investment fund to focus on mangrove restoration and conservation, in addition to blue carbon sea grass conservation and seaweed planting and harvesting for maximum climate impact.
The fund plans to grow with multiple jurisdictions thus catering to mitigate global climate change through the development of Blue Carbon in support of the UN Paris Climate Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
‘This is inspiring news for millions of people around the globe, says Dr. Arne Fjortoft, Secretary General of WIF.
“During the last 12 years, WIF has developed and implemented large mangrove restoration projects with record high 96% survival rate of plants. Mangroves are the most effective natural climate change mitigators. Additional resources available in 2022 by Japanese corporations, will be available to expand further to every region of the world with potential for mangrove restoration to meet urgent needs with immediate climate action.”
Dr. Arne Fjorsoft is a well known name for climate initiatives and has contributed to the Sri Lankan economy for the past many decades starting from establishing the ‘C-Nor’ Foundation. He has already established over 120,000 Hectares of mangroves in Myanmar and is now expanding aggressively in the region starting with Sri Lanka.
Sojitz Corporation is an integrated global trading company with an approximate revenue of $15 billion. Headquartered in Tokyo, Sojitz Corporation consists of some 400 subsidiaries and affiliates located in Japan and throughout the world. Developing wide-ranging general trading company operations in a multitude of countries and regions with over 20,000 employees, Sojitz Group has established new policies and targets to fulfil its commitment towards realizing a decarbonized society.
As announced in Sojitz’s long-term sustainability vision for 2050,
“Sustainability Challenge is to create sustainable growth for both Sojitz and society by working to help achieve a decarbonized society through our business activities, and by responding to human right issues, including those within our supply chains,” says Sojit Corporation in its corporate statement.
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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