Business
Microsoft to power Sri Lanka’s first virtual investment forum
Microsoft will be the official technology partner for the upcoming Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2021 and Microsoft Teams will become the platform of choice to host the country’s first-ever virtual investor forum. Microsoft Teams, the hub for team collaboration, will help bring in investment opportunities to the attention of potential investors across the globe.
The first-of-its-kind virtual investment forum will be powered by Microsoft Teams and led by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). Microsoft will be, extending its technology expertise by conducting exhibitor training sessions, setting-up and managing the Microsoft Teams live events from 7-9 June 2021.
According to a joint statement from BOI, CSE, and CCC: the event is expected to attract investment interest from around the world, including high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. The event will discuss the macroeconomic landscape in Sri Lanka and will highlight all major projects and ventures open for direct investment while also featuring the investment case for CSE-listed companies.
The Government of Sri Lanka set a target of USD 2.5 billion in foreign direct investments for 2021. The investment could play a significant role in helping the country drive accelerated economic growth and development by bridging the gap between domestic savings and investment.
The virtual forum will feature an eminent line-up of speakers, presenters and panelists including policymakers and business leaders who are expected to collectively make the case for investment in Sri Lanka. It will also facilitate investors to engage one on one with key project owners and leading listed companies.
The Microsoft Teams live event will create an entirely new experience for participants across different time zones. The event will further create more opportunities and insight into how the Microsoft Teams platform can be used, apart from video conferencing and creating real-time conversations and content. Microsoft Teams reached 115 million daily active users in October 2020, reflecting the continued demand for Teams as the lifeline for remote and hybrid work and learning.
“We are happy to partner with BOI, CSE, and CCC in facilitating this unique virtual investment forum on Microsoft Teams,” said Hasitha Abeywardena, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives. “Foreign domestic investments are at the heart of economic growth and can help Sri Lanka graduate to the upper-middle income country status as per the World Bank and such initiatives by key institutes of the Country are welcomed. It is an honour to have this investment forum be hosted on Microsoft Teams. We will continue to invest in our greatest assets—our people and technology—so that people and organizations in every industry stay agile and resilient in this new era.”
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”