Business
BOC launches ‘Export Circle’ to drive SMEs to the level of institutional exporters
By Sanath Nanayakkare
BOC’s newest initiative’ Export Circle’ is designed to facilitate Sri Lanka’s SME exporters to climb the ladder and become diversified institutional level exporters, without being stuck in a rut forever, D.P.K Gunasekera, General Manager of Bank of Ceylon said yesterday.
“Earning substantial foreign exchange will have a direct influence on our economic development, so one of the most vital inflows we want is more foreign exchange earned from our exports, and we need to boost this income beyond the conventional export basket. In the past it was said that no nation would develop without innovations. But in today’s world the fact of the matter is; if a nation doesn’t innovate and export innovative goods to meet the demands of the consumers, that nation will never develop itself,” he said.
“We once visited a customer of the Bank of Ceylon who imports base oil and processes it into a line-up of lube base oil products for export. He told us that he had been inspired by how lube base oil refinery in South Korea set a milestone in South Korean base oil market. He told us although South Korea entirely depended on imported raw material to make this product range, it has today emerged as a leading supplier of lube base oil, acquiring a 30% of the world’s market share. This shows what is important is not just what kind of natural resources a country has, but how much talent, innovative thinking and commitment a nation has, in order to broad base their export product portfolio. The Bank of Ceylon’s newest initiative will help fill this gap and support entrepreneurs of that ilk,” he said.
BOC General Manager made these remarks at a forum held yesterday in line with the Bank’s 82nd Anniversary celebrations which also saw the ceremonious launch of the BOC “Export Circle”, by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa via virtual screen from Temple Trees.
The move was initiated by the Trade Finance Division of BOC with the aim of accommodating exporters from all-walks-of-life. This fully-fledged one stop export unit located at the Bank’s Head Office ‘Trade Services’ department, is built with a state-of-the-art ambiance to add a relaxed and pleasant customer experience.
Further speaking Gunasekara said,”The programme has the intention of accommodating the financial and non-financial needs of these exporters and their supply chain management. This novel ‘circle’ concept will provide a tailor-made service with a credit package and a new deposit scheme. Among many useful facilities the exporters will experience are the trade information-desk which will provide up to date, end-to-end supply chain information, high standard advisory/consultancy services which is expected to iron out issues that could emerge when carrying out export transactions and assistance of business registration related services from documentation to other procedures which are crucial for the exporter.”
“Launching this programme is not enough. Now we have to go out and facilitate entrepreneurs who possess this kind of talent and facilitate them with financial and non-financial support. We should educate them on how to optimise their export earnings, how their businesses could be financially savvy in the overseas market and even provide them with currency hedging strategies they would need to know as exporters. Especially we are going to assist SMEs with an export potential or already exporting to come up to institutional level. It is the duty of BOC to facilitate exporters to bring in more foreign exchange and contribute to the development of the country,” 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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
