Investment opportunities for SL in Japan seen to be on the rise

The Island - 12/03/2015
By Ifham Nizam

Japan’s interest in China and the United States as future markets is decreasing, according to recent global surveys, when it comes to the ICT industry and business, says a top Japanese IT expert, thus hinting that Sri Lanka has a very good opportunity for investment in Japan.

Japan IT Services Industry Association, Global Affairs Department, Senior Executive Hidemi Yamamoto addressing a seminar for more than 60 Sri Lankan ICT export firms in Colombo recently said though Sri Lanka doesn’t come under the 20 companies surveyed by the JISA Global Business Committee members, Sri Lanka has the potential to penetrate the Japanese market.

SL-Singapore Business Council, Singapore (Sri Lanka) Club hold networking event

Daily FT - 07/03/2015

From left: Amanda Senewiratne, Secretariat, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Rohitha Mendis, Vice President, SLSBC; Upali Bandaranayake, Vice President, SLSBC; B.C. Tan of  Prima Group; Janaka Gunasekera of A. Baur & Company; Naserah Tyebally, President, Singapore Club; Shamil Mendis, President of SLSBC; R.D. S. Kumararatne, Director General, Department of Commerce; Sujatha Weerakoon, Director General, Export Development Board; Champa Mohinani, Singapore Club; Nirupa Peiris, Overseas Reality (Ceylon); Renuka Weerakone, Executive Director (Investment Promotion), Board of Investment; and Weon Cheol Koh, Director General, KOTRA

A joint Networking Evening was organised by the Sri Lanka-Singapore Business Council (SLSBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Singapore (Sri Lanka) Club.

The event was organised with the objective of providing an opportunity for members to interact amongst themselves, with the Singapore expatriate community in Sri Lanka and senior officials of key Government institutions relevant to business. The organising of this event is in keeping with an objective of the Sri Lanka-Singapore Business Council as a facilitator of business for its members.
The event which was held at the Roof Top Function Room of Prima Tower was well attended by over 85 persons including members of the SLSBC which has now grown to 67 member companies, members of the Singapore Club and special invitees.

Sri Lanka should reconsider its export items and destinations

The Nation - 08/03/2015
By  Amila Muthukutti

Sri Lanka, since colonial era, has been playing a significant part in international trade. The main reason why imperialists came to this tiny Island was its export-oriented natural resources such as spices mainly Cinnamon. Since then, exports of this nation have been primary and not value-added. It ought to be mentioned here that with the introduction of open economic policy in 1977, imports began to play an important role in Sri Lankan economy. However, Sri Lanka has become a country that imports more and exports less, resulting in a balance of payment crisis.

National Chamber of Commerce announces Ayur

By Inshira Shainaz

Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senarathne launching the official website of Ayurved Expo 2015 together with officials of the National Chamber of Commerce – Pic by Kithsiri De Mel

For the fifth consecutive year, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka announced the three-day mega exhibition ‘Ayurveda Expo’ which will be held from 3 to 5 July at the BMICH.
The exhibition is being held in association with Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Dept. of Commerce and other institutions and with the participation of Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

Emerging food standards causing concerns for Sri Lankan tea industry

The Island - 01/03/2015 
By Janaka Wijayasiri

Over the last two decades, there has been a tightening of public standards, a shift from product standards to process standards, an increase in theimportance of private standards and a widening scope of standards. These developments haveraised concerns amongst developing countries, as standards can become non-tariff measures with falling tariffs. Failure to comply with standards could potentially result in loss of international market, a decrease in employment and a decline of an industry. However, compliance offers the possibility of enhancing international competitiveness and encourages the advancement of an industry.

Sri Lanka's tea industry, which is predominately export oriented, is increasingly governed by strict and complex standards. Thisreflects the evolving trends in the standards environment globally.