Business
‘Women in eCommerce 2022’ beckons a more inclusive e-commerce industry in APAC
Women in eCommerce 2022, a summit convened by Daraz, was held at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo last week. The event was a full-day learning experience for business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. The conference brought together women from diverse backgrounds and expertise to encourage disruption and innovation in digital commerce.
Through networking sessions, example-driven discussions, and workshops by trendsetters across the Asia-Pacific region, participants could draw from a compendium of remarkable expertise and knowledge backed by practical examples that included stories of success and obstacles overcome by women leaders in the sphere of digital commerce.
The keynote address delivered by Shabana Badami, Head of Performance Solutions for Southeast Asia at Google (Singapore), was a major highlight of the event and presented valuable insights related to trends and the future of women and technology. This keynote was followed by three power-packed panel discussions led by entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, policy influencers, and e-commerce advocates, including Myntra, CoNatural, Suta, Uber Eats, Airbnb, Women in Tech, Hatch, Vitawell, and Daraz. The panels highlighted valuable and inspiring ideas and dialogues amongst the participants. Shaping a fearless future for women in e-commerce, policies and strategies for a more inclusive labour market, and the role of platforms and collective action in enabling women in e-commerce were the central themes discussed at the event.
The conference also included “Soundbites” or short talks by the next generation of women business leaders to bring fresh perspectives to the forefront of discussions on e-commerce and the digital economy. Sabrina Esufally, Managing Director of Consumer Brands at Hemas Sri Lanka, delivered an empowering talk on driving meaningful change through female corporate leadership. Saira Nanji, Managing Director at Barressential Sri Lanka, gave a moving message on how she and her partner built a unique and niche e-commerce-led health and fitness brand in Sri Lanka, where e-commerce is still in nascent stages.
The conference concluded with three interactive workshops for attendees on “How Powerful Women Find Balance” conducted by Zornica Zafirova, COO of Daraz Group (Singapore); “Impactful Storytelling: How to Develop Compelling Marketing for Your Brand” led by Sanjini Munaweera, Country Director of ADA (Sri Lanka); and “How to Own Your Story and Build Your Brand” by Mimi Nicklin, Author and Brand Strategist (USA).
Commenting on the event’s success, Anishka De Zylva, Head of Public Policy, Corporate Affairs, and ESG at Daraz Sri Lanka and Chief Convener of the event, said: “The response to the first-ever Women in e-commerce 2022 summit held by Daraz has been overwhelmingly positive. We are honoured and thrilled to have been able to unite some brilliant and diverse women from different spheres of digital commerce in Sri Lanka and the wider region. What was really inspiring about the conference was that many attended with a shared purpose, to exchange ideas, and advocate for a more inclusive e-commerce industry. This outcome is a big step towards encouraging more female labour force participation in the e-commerce industry. We will continue to open more opportunities for women in e-commerce to interact with each other and uplift communities through the power of commerce.”
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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