Economic benefits of professional real estate associations

It is an established fact that the Real Estate industry makes an important contribution to the economy of a country and to the welfare of its people. Housing is a key factor in measuring the standard of living of a society, and is an indicator of the economic growth of a country

Automated system performance requires human engagement

Some emails or letters invite you to sign up and enjoy membership to this magazine or to that credit card. This just happened to me recently where my entire family received letters from our bank soliciting us to sign up for its prestige credit card that ‘gives double the benefits’.

Infrastructure development in fragile states: Is it worth it?

Transport, energy, information and communication technology and water infrastructure enable a state to grow its economy and improve the quality of life of its citizens. Infrastructure acts as the backbone of growth and social wellbeing

Fertilizer use in plantations and future implications

It has been said that with the rising incidences of chronic kidney diseases in the agricultural areas of the island, the Sri Lankan government is taking measures to control the indiscriminate usage of chemical fertilizer and agrochemicals by the farmers.

Why your web presence matters

We live on the World Wide Web as much as we do in real life. Every individual with access to a computer and Internet is likely to spend a considerable amount of time on it, either in pursuit of a hobby, reading, researching or simply in search of entertainment.

Global warming and Warsaw consensus

UNFCC –COP 19   from 11 -22 in Warsaw Poland is attended by representatives of nearly 200 governments and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon addressed the plenary sessions   on......

Is SL utilizing ocean resources for economic take-off?

Being an island nation, Sri Lanka is blessed with enormous ocean resources, and related opportunities, that can be utilized for the country s economic development.  There is a wide array of ocean resources, which include both biological and non-biological components.

‘Cess’ - End the deception and build ‘street lights’

In Sri Lanka, ‘Cess’ is the name given to a special tax imposed on sales, where the revenue is earmarked for a specific fund with a particular economic purpose. But the government has stymied export promotion and local value addition by ‘stealing’ the Cess. Budget 2014 is poised to further the malpractice.

How to be really innovative in the hospitality and service business?

Oh no, not another article on innovation! Haven’t we heard enough from everyone who claims to be someone, when on stage? Please also don’t feed us another dose of anecdotes extolling how Southwest Airlines, Ritz Carlton or Walt Disney excel at it! No, I won’t.

Budget 2014 focuses on sustaining economic growth

The main focus of the 2014 budget has been to maintain the growth momentum and stability of the economy as requested by the majority of the public, Finance and Planning Ministry Deputy Secretary to Treasury Dr. S. Batagoda said. 

Need for transparency over budget fundamentals

An appeal to the executive, business and academia, who saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Forbes writes about Dhammik’s Master Plan

Dhammika Perera didn’t become one of Sri Lanka’s richest people by luck. It was actually by design. Back in 1999, when he was 32, he developed a 20-year plan for his fledgling businesses with the help of a mentor.

Lifestyle entrepreneurship – Giving women the balance needed between home and office

They are no longer manning desks in plush offices but are in front of computers located in kitchens, store spaces, living rooms and bedrooms. They work hard but also have time to spend with the children and take care of family chores.

How to be really innovative in hospitality and service business?

A premier accounting institute in Sri Lanka held its 34th National conference recently. In the weeks ahead and during, amidst wide publicity, the two day event, screamed: ‘Innovation’.

Bangladesh’s efforts on capital market reforms

Bangladesh has had its share of stock market booms and busts. Following a bull run during most of 2010, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) crashed in early December 2010 and by March 2011 the index had fallen by half from its all-time high.

Dual citizenship: To offer or not to offer

Having dual citizenship status is literally having the best of both worlds. Many Sri Lankans who hold dual citizenship had a sense of superiority. They can enjoy all the benefits and facilities enjoyed by any Sri Lankan and also entitled to all the benefits and facilities of their adopted country.

South Asia can definitely reinvent itself as a ‘region on the move’: Chaudhary

Following is a speech delivered by Chaudhary Group, Nepal Chairman Binod K. Chaudhary at Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 on ‘The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean, Pacific at SAARC: Building New Partnerships.

Plantations should prepare to meet climatic change challenges

Global warming and climate change are aspects of our environment that cannot be easily or quickly discounted. We have seemingly negatively effected our environment by a cycle of harmful processes that now seem to be feeding upon themselves to exponentially increase the damage to our ecosystem.

Do women in politics actually empower other women?

We have always heard how important it is to have female representation in politics. Having given the world its first female prime minister, we have perhaps initiated a path for women in politics much earlier than others.

Leadership and succession

Succession planning is a process for identifying and developing internal people with the potential to fill key leadership positions in the company. Succession planning increases the availability of experienced and capable employees that are ready to assume key leadership roles as they become available.

Dwindling aid slows Sri Lanka

When the first trains in almost two and a half decades started running through this war-ravaged town in Sri Lanka in mid-September, Sinngamuththu Jesudasan could not resist the temptation to go and have a look – repeatedly.

Chairing the Commonwealth: Capturing opportunities for economic advancement

Sri Lanka is in the midst of hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and President Mahinda Rajapaksa is about to assume the position of Chair-in-Office for the next two years.

Why the Commonwealth MUST go to Sri Lanka

When Commonwealth leaders gather in Colombo on November 15 for their biennial meeting, they will be sending a message to the human rights advocates worldwide who campaigned so strongly against this event.

Advanced economies should honestly support trade with emerging nations

Following is the address delivered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the inauguration of Commonwealth Business Forum 2013 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo yesterday.

Export economics beyond the ‘white underwear’

Exports from Sri Lanka are thrice cursed. They are declining as a share of global exports, as a percentage of Sri Lankan gross domestic product (GDP) and also in absolute value. It’s timely to evaluate the reasons and consider solutions.

Reforming post-war economy in four years

“It has only been four years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. The government needs more time to provide a business-friendly climate that would attract more investment”.

Lankan consumer more evolved in terms of knowledge: Unilever Chief

Unilever’s new Chairperson for its Sri Lankan business operation, Shazia Syed spoke with Mirror Business about her personal experience in Pakistan, where she was the first Pakistani woman to head Unilever’s Sales division and Unilever’s expectations for the coming year. Excerpts:

Country is progressing without any deviation from original plan: Cabraal

The following is a speech by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, a guest speaker at Business Today Top Twenty Five 2012-2013 awards ceremony. Let me start by....

A critical analysis of equity investments in foreign coal mining companies by GOSL

Two recent  articles in a weekly newspaper  reported that the government of Sri Lanka  has been advised  equity participation in coal mining companies after the Board of Investment (BOI) had.....

A wish list for China’s Third Plenum

Hard landing, soft landing, no landing, overheating. Pundits’ views on China’s economy bounce around—often rapidly—between these descriptions. Just two short months ago, the dominant concern was