Business
WCIC national awards will help SL women entrepreneurs to enter global markets: chairperson
This time poised to select the ‘Best of the Region’ from each province
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Prathibhabisheka National Awards to be bestowed on outstanding women entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka and the SAARC region will be recognised globally, Anoji De Silva, the chairperson of Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka (WCIC) told The Island Financial Review.
She made this comment as WCIC is gearing to showcase the excellence of outstanding women entrepreneurs through WCIC Prathibhabisheka – The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2022, powered by DFCC ALOKA.
“The award is a national award and hence will be recognized globally. This will definitely help the women to market their products to global buyers. The Chamber at present also has an MOU with WEConnect where we recommend women who are able to sell in the global market to register. We also hope to recommend our winners and other high potential women who apply for the awards to register giving them the opportunity to access global markets directly,” she explained.
“As a country we have gone through so many changes over the last 4 years and therefore, we felt we need to re-look at our concept and ensure that the winners of our award are those that have the potential to be global entrepreneurs,” she noted.
“Women Entrepreneurs have the ability to help our economy grow in a sustainable manner. They build companies that are built on a set of values and they create diverse and inclusive working environments. However, as a country we do little to help these women to grow and scale. To us, this is not just an award ceremony. Through the Judging process and after we include all these women into our network and then work with them to be more successful. Some of our past winners include, Abans Pastonjee, Lakmini Wijesundra, Yoland Aluwihare, Sandra Wanduragala, Indrani Fernando, Nayana Karunaratne and Ramya Weerakoon,” Chairperson of WCIC said.
“WCIC Prathibhabisheka – Women Entrepreneur Award 2022- powered by DFCC ALOKA is to be held in January 2023. Acceptance of applications for the competition is underway under the categories – startup, micro, small, medium and large. Each category will have a specified revenue for the year under review – 2021/22.
“Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented for each category. With a view to identifying and promoting regional women entrepreneurs, WCIC encourages applications from all the provinces in the country in order to select the ‘Best of the Region’ from each province.”
“The participants will also be considered for the coveted special awards – Young Woman Entrepreneur, Outstanding Startup, Most Positively Abled Woman Entrepreneur, Most Outstanding Export Oriented Entrepreneur and Best of the SAARC Region. The ceremony will culminate with the selection of the ‘Women Entrepreneur of the Year-2022’.
“The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka (WCIC) was established in 1985 by a group of visionary women with the main objective of facilitating the inclusion of women in mainstream business activity. WCIC is the first women-only trade chamber in Sri Lanka and is also considered the first in the world. The vision of the WCIC is to be “A voice and platform for the empowerment of women as powerful nation builders by participating in and transforming the economic growth of the nation”.
When asked if the entry requirement of financial records of small businesses headed by women could deter their ability to apply, the chairperson said, “We have a startup category which is under 5 years where they can submit unaudited documents for consideration. These women can apply under this category. We believe they should keep proper records beyond this as otherwise they will not be able to scale and grow.”
The entry kit can be downloaded from www.wcicsl.lk and completed and submitted to the WCIC along with all the material required to substantiate the applicant’s story.
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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