Category: Economy
Sri Lanka enters USD34mln financing for smallholder agribusiness
July 03, 2017 (LBO) – International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka have signed a financial agreement for the implementation of the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership (SAP) Program. The programme will provide a platform for 57,500 poor rural households to increase their income and food security by expanding livelihood and business […]
GSP Plus could add USD350 mln in export revenue, improve FDI: Min
July 03, 2017 (LBO) – GSP plus eligibility could add 350 million dollars in export revenue to Sri Lanka, while increasing potential for FDI, the minister for industry and commerce said. “The enhanced market access that Sri Lanka gets from EU GSP+ is very significant,” said Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. “In fact, according to the Department […]
Reforms in Sri Lanka urgent but need to limit cost to the poor: WB
June 30, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lankan government led reforms to improve competitiveness, maintain macro-fiscal stability and strengthen institutions, with broad support in the country, are key to robust economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, a new World Bank report said. The Sri Lanka Development Update launched Thursday said that the economy and its […]
Japanese ambassadors in five SAARC countries meet Foreign Minister Ravi
June 28, 2017 (LBO) – Japanese ambassadors in five SAARC countries India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Bangladesh met Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake Tuesday at the Ministry. “The ambassadors hailed the ongoing development activities in Sri Lanka and pointed out the growth in the country is a matter of pride for other nations in the region,” […]
Sri Lanka should relax issuing licenses for beer & wine: FinMin
June 23, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister told Parliament Thursday that the country needs to relax issuing liquor licenses for beer & wine as it may reduce illegal liquor consumption. Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the ministry is now collecting information and is having discussions with the relevant parties with regard to the issue […]
Central Bank holds key rates unchanged, reserves climb
June 23, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank held key interest rates unchanged on Friday after a monthly monetary policy meeting with inflation moderating in April and May, and the economy expected to recover in the second half. “Growth in the first quarter was weighed down by the impact of unfavourable weather conditions, particularly […]
‘s IFC to sell Sri Lanka rupee bonds
June 22, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has approved a proposal to establish an offshore Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) Bond Programme by the International Finance Corporation, a statement said. The program is beneficial to Sri Lanka, and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management has recommended its implementation, the most recently approved cabinet decisions statement […]
Sri Lanka inflation slows to 7.1-pct in May 2017
June 22, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation according to the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) was down to 7.1 percent in May 2017 from 8.4 percent in April, the Census and Statistics Department said. The NCPI for all items for the month of May 2017 was 121.8, an increase of 0.8 index points or […]
Sri Lanka to postpone SVAT abolition till end 2017
June 22, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet approval has been granted to postpone the abolition of SVAT system until the end of this year. Accordingly, the SVAT abolition will take effect from 01 January 2018 after the necessary legislation is passed through Parliament. This decision has been taken in order to give sufficient time […]
Central Bank expected to keep key rates unchanged: First Capital
June 21, 2017 (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is expected to keep key interest rates unchanged in its monthly monetary policy announcement on Friday, with slower first quarter growth and a deceleration in inflation contributing to the decision, First Capital Research said in a pre-policy research note. GDP growth for the first […]
Auditor General’s opinion creates chaos in Parliament
June 20, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Tuesday referred the controversial annual report of the Finance Ministry to the Committee on Public Finance amid chaos in Parliament. The Auditor General, expressing his view on the finance ministry accounts of 2016, said that he is not been able to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit […]
Infrastructure must be developed alongside admin, legal frameworks: Finance Minister
June 20, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka wants to boost investments to make the country an export driven economic and financial hub of the Indian Ocean, the new finance minister said. “Developing physical infrastructure must be done along with administrative and legal frameworks to ensure required policy or regulatory support to streamline and boost public […]