Category: Economy
Sri Lanka gets US$540mn in FDI in 2013 first half
Sept 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has received 540 million US dollars in foreign direct investments up to June 2013 up 20 percent from a year earlier, investment promotions minister Lakshman Abeywardene said.The top investor in the period was Colombo International Container Terminal, from China and Hong Kong with 116.7 million US dollars, followed […]
Sri Lanka holds policy rates, says lending rates easing
Sept 17, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank kept its policy rate band at 7.0 and 9.0 percent saying lower pressure from the state budget deficit is expected to bring down lending rates further.“Continued fiscal consolidation efforts by the government and greater financial discipline of public corporations are expected to reduce the public sector’s […]
‘s economy grows 6.8-pct in 2Q 2013
Sept 13, 20132 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy grew 6.8 percent in the June 2013 quarter from a year earlier, the state statistics office said.Government services grew 3.9 percent. The agriculture sector shrank 1.1 percent; industry grew 10.1 percent and services 6.6 percent. In agriculture tea had contracted 0.5 percent, rubber had grown 2.0 percent, […]
Sri Lanka casino resort tax breaks firmed
Sept 13, 2013 (LBO) – Tax breaks for two casino resorts including one by Australia’s Crown group have been firmed with the cabinet of ministers giving the nod for tax breaks previously announced for large investments.Sri Lanka is pushing a casino strategy to draw high spending tourists, which can fill city five star hotel rooms […]
Sri Lanka external accounts stabilized by $750mn bond sale: CB Governor
Sept 13, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s external accounts will be strengthened and the balance of payments will turn into surplus after 750 million US dollars were raised by a state-run bank, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. National Savings Bank sold 5-year bonds at 8.875 percent Friday, over 350 basis points higher than the […]
Pressure on Sri Lanka finances shown by high bond yield: opposition
Sept 14, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s willingness to go as high as 9.00 percent a year to raise dollars from international markets shows the fiscal pressure brought on by high spending, an opposition legislator has said. Harsha de Silva, an economist said, dollar loan rates of around 9.00 percent was too high for people […]
Sri Lanka economics book released
Sept 12, 2013 (LBO) – The Central Bank said it released a new book, ;An Introduction to Principles of Economics – Part 1′ It was written by C P A Karunatilake, Director, Centre for Banking Studies, the training arm of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. He is a graduate of Colombo University and has […]
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Sept 11, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and China is committed to its bi-lateral relationship which was elevated to ‘strategic co-operation’ level earlier this year, the government said following a visit by a senior Beijing official to Colombo.Liu Yunshan, one of seven members of the central secretariat of the Communist Party of China visited Sri […]
Multinationals to get equal treatment in China: premier
DALIAN, September 11, 2013 (AFP) – China’s premier promised equal treatment for multinational companies operating in the country, as he opened a meeting of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.China will continue to encourage foreign companies to invest and do business in China, and ensure that all companies have equal access …and equal treatment,” Li […]
‘s war ravaged provinces grow fastest in 2012
Sept 10, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s war ravaged Northern and Eastern provinces grew fastest in 2013, though starting from a low base, helped by construction but also banking and agriculture, the Central Bank said. The share of Central Province was flat at 9.8 percent. The North Central (4.7 percent), UVA 4.5 percent and Sabaragamuwa […]
”’ by RAM
Sept 10, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s EAP Broadcasting Company Ltd (EAPB), has been rated ‘BBB’ by RAM Ratings which said the firm was planning a billion rupee listed debenture sale.“The ratings are upheld by the Company’s notable presence in TV industry,” RAM Ratings said. “EAPB has one of the largest television networks in Sri […]
” hailed as cost of living goes up
TOKYO, September 9, 2013 (AFP) – Japan’s economy in the April-June quarter expanded more than initially estimated, revised data showed Monday, offering another boost for Tokyo’s bid to reverse years of tepid growth. The Cabinet Office put second-quarter growth at 0.9 percent from the previous quarter, up from a preliminary reading of a 0.6 percent […]