Business
Strategic help from Germany for Sri Lankan exporters to win more European buyers
by Sanath Nanayakkare
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Sri Lanka) recently launched a timely initiative in Sri Lanka named ‘Sustainable supply chains as driver for global competitiveness’.This initiative will help Sri Lankan companies to have broader and easier market access to the EU by adhering to EU’s strictly documented compliance with certain sustainability standards related to social and environmental aspects.
The programme is designed to raise awareness of Sri Lankan exporters on the need for sustainability related documentation in order to increase global competitiveness of Sri Lankan products and services to gain broader market access to not only the EU but to the US market as well.The initiative will comprise a series of training sessions, assessments and certification especially targeting the sectors of apparel/textile, rubber, and food/agriculture.
The Consultancy of former Human Rights Commissioner of the German government Markus Loening will train representatives of the Sri Lankan companies on how to comply with global and EU related sustainability standards. In fact, many Sri Lankan companies already comply with these standards but are unaware of the requirement of formal documentation.
MAS Holdings COO Shirendra Lawrence, the keynote speaker of the event explained how absolute compliance with sustainability standards helped MAS become the largest apparel company in South Asia as well as a global leader.Ambassador Denis Chaibi- Head of EU Mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives speaking at the event underlined the importance of the ongoing regulation process on sustainability standards in the EU and its member countries. He said that Sri Lankan exporters can export a wide range of products to the EU duty-free under the EU’s GSP+ trade facility, subject to its human rights, environment, labour, social and other stipulated standards.German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka Chief Delegate Andreas Hergenroether said, “Through this programme, we want to support Sri Lankan exporters to obtain broader market access to EU. Today sustainability standards are a top priority in the minds of the consumers in the EU countries. Maybe they are partially politically driven, but they are also more and more customer and industry driven. Besides the existing official legally binding standards, European importers require more and more consumer driven standards like Fairtrade, Compliance +, Good Manufacturing Practices, etc.”Hubertus von Welck, Head of Friedrich Naumann Foundation Sri Lanka emphasised the need to restart the economy and overcome the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
“For this we will support Sri Lanka. We will support your export-driven entrepreneurship to strengthen their compliance standards set out in the ‘UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’. This will help Sri Lankan products and services to be well- accepted in the markets of advanced economies and thereby increase Sri Lanka’s export earnings,” he said.
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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