Business
Sri Lanka, a window to larger markets of India & EU for agri products
A programme to promote Sri Lankan agri products and processed food in the Indian market was launched in Mumbai a week ago to implement President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s export economic policy.
Accordingly, a webinar on “India – Sri Lanka Current Business Environment and Opportunities for Joint Collaborations for Agri and Processed Food Sector”, organized by the Sri Lanka Consulate in Mumbai in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce [CCC] and IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IMC), Mumbai was held on September 29. This was the first online forum targeting to promote & diversify Sri Lanka’s agri products and processed food to the Indian market.
Addressing the webinar, Sri Lanka Consul General in Mumbai, Chamari Rodrigo said that the present business environment in Sri Lanka is conducive as Sri Lanka is successfully controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and the government is committed to facilitate & promote business climate in Sri Lanka. Highlighting the remarkable bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka, she urged the Sri Lankan agri & process food exporters to focus on non-traditional exports to Indian market and utilize the unique duty concessions offered to Sri Lanka for agri products under ISFTA. ‘Joint ventures between Sri Lankan agro industry & Indian post-harvest industry could yield many benefits for both the countries through technology transfers and advanced machinery’, she added.
The president of IMC Chamber Rajiv Podar in his remarks said that IMC Chamber has always encouraged healthy business relationships between India and Sri Lanka and feels that there are number of opportunities to create synergies between the two countries in the agri and processed food sector. He further said that India has improved its food processing technology & post – harvest technology and Sri Lankan business could benefit from it through joint ventures.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Manjula de Silva stated that Indian investors have vast experience in value addition activities and Sri Lankan agri sector, especially fruits & vegetables, can benefit from Indian investments. “Aqua culture, value added coconut products and confectionary are other potential sectors for value addition” he added.
Presentations on opportunities and strengths of the domestic agri & processed food sector were made by two Indian resource persons highlighting the fact that the demand for processed food has been growing substantially due to the increasing urban middle class in India and Sri Lankan exporters could utilize these untapped opportunities.
Chairman of Sri Lankan Agripreneurs Rizvi Zaheed, shared his perspective on diversified Sri Lanka’s agri & process food sector and the global recognition accumulated by Sri Lankan products through adherence to high manufacturing standards and innovation. Sri Lanka could be used as a window for Indian agri products to enter markets such as China, Japan and European countries by leveraging on the reputation of Sri Lankan agri products on a preferential basis. “Indian investment in value addition and storage facilities in the agri & processed food sector was welcomed”he said.
Q & A session and individual inquires on business opportunities were answered by representatives from each country. This webinar will be followed by B2B meetings between Indian & Sri Lankan companies in mid October.
Eighty two business representatives from Indian & Sri Lankan companies participated in the webinar.
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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