Category: Economy
Construction industry future outlook positive, but challenges remain: RIU study
Jul 20, 2018 (LBO) – As a part of its ongoing research into the real estate and construction industry Research Intelligence Unit (RIU) conducted a survey among multifarious construction industry companies operating in Sri Lanka. Working with LECS, who recently held the 7th edition of their annual Construction Expo, the aim of this latest RIU […]
National Export Strategy: Sri Lanka targets USD28Bn in exports by 2022
Jul 20, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government unveiling the ‘National Export Strategy (2018-2022)’ in Colombo yesterday said it plans to increase the capacity of the local export sector while also improving trade performance and competitiveness. The five-year plan will help to make Sri Lanka a major regional export hub with the launch of this […]
AMCHAM presents insights on FDI and U.S. investor perspectives in Sri Lanka
Jul 18, 2018 (LBO) – In order to facilitate continued investment within Sri Lanka it is important to have clarity on the FDI landscape, and identify potential barriers as well as possible solutions, the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Sri Lanka said. The Chamber releasing a statement said that these are the key objectives addressed […]
National Export Strategy to be launched this week
Jul 16, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is to launch a long-awaited National Export Strategy (NES) later this week on the 19th. “The National Export Strategy (NES) is a fantastic opportunity for the private sector and the government to work together but the success of it will depend entirely on the political will of the incumbent […]
Sri Lanka – Singapore FTA: Over USD 16Bn investment projects under discussion
Jul 16, 2018 (LBO) – Projects with a total investment value of over US 16 billion dollars mainly in manufacturing for exports are the first projects to realize since the Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA was implemented on May 1, 2018, the Board of Investment (BoI) in Sri Lanka said.“Sri Lanka is gearing to reap the benefits […]
CEB interdicts DGM Energy Purchases for refusing to pay ACE Embilipitiya
Jul 16, 2018 (LBO) – The Deputy General Manager, Energy Purchases of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the Government should not pay the 100 MW ACE Embilipitiya as it is an illegal power plant. The state utility has extended the agreement with the privately-owned ACE Embilipitiya without a bidding procedure and without the approval […]
Thai-Sri Lanka FTA talks launched; USD1.5bn mutual trade expected by 2020
July 13, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and Thailand on Friday officially declared the launch of negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The first round of negotiations was held in Colombo with the blessings of the Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-Cha who paid an official visit to Sri […]
Transparency in tender procedures vital for attracting FDI inflows to Sri Lanka :EU
Jul 11, 2018 (LBO) – The 6th EU- Sri Lanka investor dialogue was held at the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade recently. Many of the earlier outstanding matters had been resolved through dialogue and the joint efforts of the Sri Lanka and EU authorities. “We have managed to resolve many of the issues that […]
First Capital downgrades exchange rate target to 161 rupees for end 2018
July 11, 2018 (LBO) – First Capital Research said they downgraded their exchange rate target from 159 rupees to 161 rupees per dollar for end 2018 since a stronger dollar is more likely in the coming months. With four fed rate hikes on the cards over next 12 months, First Capital Research said they are […]
Sri Lanka President, Fin Min agree to go ahead with fuel price formula, Prices hiked
Jul 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President and Finance Minister following meeting earlier Tuesday decided to revise its fuel prices according to an earlier cabinet approved pricing formula. Accordingly the price of one litre of Petrol (Octane 92) will be increased by 8 rupees to 145 rupees, Petrol (Octane 95) will be increased by 7 rupees to […]
Simplifying exporter registration process is critical for export success: Study
July 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s current exporter registration process is unnecessarily lengthy, inefficient and unduly burdensome especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a recent study has found.According to the main findings of a study conducted by Verité Research shows that many of these unnecessary steps cannot be justified on a rational basis. […]
Sri Lanka needs to politically, financially revitalize and empower local governments: PM
Jul 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister said that the island needs to reconsider the structure of it’s local governments as concepts such as mega-cities and global connectivity come into play. “The biggest issue in the management of mega-cities is that they involve many levels of Government and Local Authorities,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. […]