Sri Lanka July trade gap widens, tea boosts export earnings

Sept 17, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s export earnings in July 2008 went up 24. 1 percent to a record 849 million US dollars from a year ago, boosted by agricultural exports, especially tea, the central bank said Wednesday. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 […]

‘s roots run deep in Asia

SINGAPORE, September 17, 2008 (AFP) – AIG has deep roots in Asia, and the troubled insurance giant is now trying to reassure millions of policyholders and tens of thousands of employees in the region that it will survive. Speaking before the Fed announced its rescue plan, Tey said a rush to liquidate policies is an […]

Sri Lanka aid groups quit north

September 17, 2008 (AFP) – International aid workers were Wednesday close to completing an evacuation from Sri Lanka’s north, where government forces are on a major offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels, officials said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The mass pull-out, demanded by the […]

‘s Ranbaxy generic drugs

WASHINGTON, September 16, 2008 (AFP) – The US Food and Drug Administration Tuesday said it would block the import of more than 30 generic drugs made by Indian pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy, saying the company had failed to meet manufacturing standards. Due to extensive violations of US requirements, the FDA issued the import alert for drugs […]

Historic Rescue

NEW YORK, September 17, 2008 (AFP) – The US Federal Reserve announced Tuesday it would make an unprecedented 85-billion-dollar rescue loan to save insurance giant American International Group from bankruptcy amid fears of a catastrophic meltdown on financial markets. The move came after federal officials reportedly tried but failed to persuade private firms over the […]

Global Link

Sept 17, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan investors in Vietnam could bank at a new fully owned branch in the country after authorities gave the go ahead to incorporate a local unit in the country, the banking group’s Colombo office said. “We feel that this is strategically important for the local investors and corporates who […]

Leasing Trends

Sept 17, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s People’s Leasing Company (PLC) said net profit rose seven percent to 803 million rupees in the year ending March 31, 2008 and that it was diversifying its business to include ship finance. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 […]

Sri Lanka to get more concessionary funds: ADB

Sept 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka would get more than 200 million US dollars a year from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) over the next three years and the country would get more money from its concessionary window, an official said. The ADB’s country partnership strategy, which outlines its lending program for the island […]

Sri Lanka gets extra funds for roads, education, housing: World Bank

Sept 09, 2008 (LBO) – The World Bank has inked deals worth 151 million dollars to lend extra money for road, education and housing reconstruction in conflict-hit areas of Sri Lanka, the multilateral lender said.World Bank country chief Naoko Ishii said the additional financing will support the growth of infrastructure in lagging regions, the return […]

EU voices concerned over Sri Lanka violence

BRUSSELS, September 15, 2008 (AFP) – EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel on Monday expressed “grave concern” at the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka and called for human rights laws to be respected. Civilians should also be guaranteed safe passage to leave the conflict area “and relocate in safer areas,” he added. “I’m deeply […]

Bank of Japan prints 1.5 trillion yen to grease markets

TOKYO, September 16, 2008 (AFP) – The Bank of Japan on Tuesday injected 1.5 trillion yen (14.4 billion dollars) into money markets in a bid to contain market turmoil after the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers. The central bank said on its website that it injected the sum onto the open markets at […]

AIG gets lifeline as shares go into free fall

NEW YORK, September 15, 2008 (AFP) – Struggling US insurance giant American International Group was thrown a life-line Monday by New York authorities, who said the company could borrow some 20 billion dollars from its subsidiaries. New York Governor David Paterson said he had called on regulators “to provide the authorization, such that AIG can […]

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