EXIM Malaysia keen to invest in infrastructure, IT & energy

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (EXIM Malaysia) is willing to invest US$500 million in Sri Lanka, and is evaluating infrastructure, IT and energy related ventures in the country.

Markets too do need to take profits

The All Share Price Index (ASPI), which rose to 7,406 points, peaked on October 3, 2010 (the highest the index has achieved since the all-time high in February 2011) and started to take a breather in the subsequent days.

Penalising customer loyalty

There’s a huge reservoir of loyalty floating around out there.  People are loyal to their nation. People are loyal to their president. People are loyal to their political party. People are loyal to their club. People are loyal to their school. People are loyal to their religion.  People are loyal to their job. People are loyal to people.

Hemas to exit power biz in Rs.1.68bn deal

Hemas Holdings PLC yesterday said it had entered into a share sale and purchase agreement to fully divest its shareholding in Hemas Power PLC to a consortium of buyers, consisting of NDB Capital Holdings PLC, ACL Cables PLC and Trydan Partners Private Ltd for a consideration of Rs.1.68 billion—Rs.17.90 per share.

More than 50 companies in IPO pipeline: SEC Chief

As a result of the continuous awareness campaigns conducted on the benefits of listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), there are now more than 50 companies in the pipeline seeking listings on the bourse, according to the capital market regulator.

Could urbanization be the next growth driver in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is one of the least urbanized countries in the world. Sri Lanka’s low level of urbanization appears to be an exception for a middle-income country. Possible reasons for low urbanization include historical factors such as development of good social infrastructure around the country, as well as......

Are you a wise investor?

Sri Lanka’s economy is growing steadily and recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) of 7.8 percent p.a. at the end of the second quarter this year. An improving external environment, higher investments and a recovery in domestic consumption, all indicate even better prospects for the country.........

Successful leadership begins with a clear and compelling vision

We have seen how successful leaders have mastered the art of self-leadership. They are authentic, reliable, fair and trustworthy and also compelling. Such leaders have also taken time to crystallize a personal vision of the future, which will become the foundation or cornerstone for a shared vision.

Shangri-La plans mega residential complex in Colombo

The Hong Kong-based luxury hotel developer, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is to invest on a residential apartment complex in Sri Lanka, and the land transfer towards it is expected to take place this week, according to the country’s Investment Promotion Minister.

Govt. to leverage economic progress to test people’s mandate

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked the ruling coalition ministers to prepare for a ‘national election’ which is to be announced shortly. According to Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, they have not still been told if it would be a Presidential or a Parliamentary election

PB asks pensioners to invest in capital market

The country’s Treasury Secretary yesterday asked the pensioners who live on interest received on fixed deposits to invest their money in the stock market as going...

How smartphones are ruining relationships and work ethics

It is no secret that our habits, whether at work or leisure, have been transformed overnight with the arrival of the smartphone.

August trade deficit widens 32% amid rising imports

The trade deficit widened for the second month in a row as the August trade deficit expanded by 32 percent to US $ 733.2 million,...

Are women reaping the fruits of their education?

Economic research and theory is quite clear on the ‘returns to education’: education is generally positively correlated with jobs and income levels.

Power of compelling leadership inspires exceptional performance

Barry Posner, in his best-selling book – ‘The Leadership Challenge’ – says that the qualities we want in a leader are essentially the same ones we want in a friend or co-worker or a partner, ‘except for one’. In leaders, we also need to see an additional dimension – we need to know their ‘vision’ if we are..........

Private credit growth falls to new low

Despite much optimism over the 2H14 private sector credit growth, the latest data shows that Sri Lanka’s banking sector credit to the private sector firms and the personal customers in July has dipped to a new low of 0.8 percent from a year ago.

Tea promotional cess finally at disposal

The much-awaited utilization of ‘tea promotional fund’ is expected to be put into its intended use before the end of this year, as 50 percent of the fund will be returned to the tea exporters to strengthen their existing promotional campaigns, according to the Plantation Industries Minister.

Int’l construction standards could help hub ambition - Rishad

“Sri Lanka’s construction sector claims only 7.3 percent of GDP. However, the sector is much more important than these numbers would indicate. There is a strong SME presence in this sub-sector,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, addressing the inauguration event of........

All set for sri lanka’s second int’l capital market conference

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) will host the country’s second international...

How inspiration and role models can be powerful sources in closing gender gap

We all have our favourite TV shows – from the law enforcement shows such as Police Woman of yesteryear to LA Law, Law & Order Special Victims Unit and...

Some MBAs are not worth the paper they’re printed on

A few days ago we interviewed seven candidates with MBAs for a senior leadership position.

NDB gets US $ 75mn credit line from Proparco and FMO

Proparco, a French development finance institution, has allocated a US $ 60 million credit line to National Development Bank PLC (NDB), with an additional US $ 15 million from its Dutch counterpart, FMO, under a joint facility to support the financing of projects in the...........

Low credit growth Uncertainty keeps borrowers at bay

Despite Central Bank’s (CB) push to cut lending rates, the broad uncertainty prevailing in the market over the ability to sustain low interest rates in the foreseeable future is seen keeping prospective borrowers at bay, leading to low demand for credit.

Ceylon Chamber hails CB’s credit growth boosting method

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber, yesterday endorsed the recent monetary policy measures implemented...

Current world natural rubber position and future prospects

The most recent rubber Industry report of IRSG indicates that a negative growth of natural rubber (NR0 production in the face of steady rate of NR consumption...

Sri Lanka highly vulnerable to cyber attacks: CERT|CC

Sri Lanka will experience a massive wave of cyber attacks in the near future due to inadequate prevention methods and privacy laws as well as non-compliance,...

Walk your talk: It’s the magic key to leadership success

In his excellent book, ‘Leading at a Higher Level’, Ken Blanchard writes, “It is estimated that a leader’s actions are at least three times as important as what he...

Sri Lanka to reduce socio-economic impacts of disasters

The Ministry of Disaster Management together with the World Bank launched a Climate Resilient Program yesterday.

FDIs surpass billion dollar mark

Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country during the first eight months of the year has surpassed the billion dollar mark, according to the country’s Investment Promotion Minister.

Why gender equality is not yet what it should be

Nothing could have been more devastating than losing one’s child – the anguish of the mother who lost her eight-year-old daughter to a child molester...