Category: Industry
Banking On FTAs
A top sub-continental bank is counting on increased trade in the region to drive its operations. Indian Bank says the current Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka could give a boost to the demand for trade related services.rn rnldblquote We would like to educate our clients on Sri Lanka- that things are improving […]
Sweet Music
Local telecom operators on Friday came up with firm rates to interconnect between networks until a new cost study is finalised in June.The telecom operators endash Sri Lanka Telecom, Suntel, Lanka Bell, Dialog, Mobitel, Celltel and Hutchison Telecom endash agreed on the final numbers after rejecting the telecom watchdogs draft proposals.rn rnThe draft recommends a […]
One More Try
Hoarders who played hide and seek with revenue officials have been coming clean in droves in response to the governments tax amnesty, Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunewardene said.rn rnldblquote They will not be questioned about the source of funds or face prosecution for not declaring the assets earlier, dblquote Minister Gunewardene told members of the […]
Privileged Lot
Standard Chartered Bank Thursday launched a new relationship-banking product to serve its mid-level customers.The bank said its lquote SelectBanking product will take relationship banking and personalised services to new levels.rn rnUnder SelectBanking, customers get a dedicated relationship manager and a special counter to fast track banking services.rn rnSpecially branded cheque books and ATM cards ensure […]
Chain Links
A Hayleys tie up with India based TAKE Solutions is building on the need of large companies to cut cost and streamline processes. MPower will leverage this urgent need of the corporate and manufacturing sector to sturdy up, to offer tailor made supply chain management (SCM) solutions to the range of manufacturing and services firms […]
Rough Guide
Ripping open the wild side of the paradise isle, Sri Lanka will stick its spokes into the international world of adventure sports with its first race set for July 2003. Adventure Centre Asia, a Nepalese based company is pitching its tent in Sri Lanka to open up the island for serious adventure sports enthusiasts.rn rnAdding […]
Expensive Business
Business Development Services or BDS are support services offered for SMEs, providing start-up, non-financial assistance. rn rnOver the last 25 years the BDS market expanded rapidly reaching double-digit growth in the 90s, driven largely by the commercial sector.rn rnldblquote The 80s was the decade of the government sector providers, in the 90s it was the […]
Colombo Plaza
Meanwhile, the Asian Hotels management is working to tie down a new management for the hotel before the end of the year, with invitations for quotations already sent out. rn rnHotel officials are keen on attracting leading international chains to take over and build on the facilities offered at the city hotel. rn rnAsian Hotels […]
Coming Out Soon
Government savings giant NSB is in the final stages of getting a credit rating from Fitch Ratings Lanka.National Savings bank with public deposits of over Rs.130 bn is expected to publicly announce the senior debt rating once it is assigned.rn rnThe Banks General Manager Eastman Narangoda told LBR that the rating audit has already been […]
Peace Talks
Ending days of cross talk, telecom operators on Saturday said they were firmly behind the governments liberalisation agenda, but had reservations on some parts of its policy.Telecom operators say they fully support multiple External Gateway Operators or EGOs entry, which will cut down international call prices through competition and maximised choice.rn rnIn a joint statement, […]
Cooling Off
Tension between key telecom operators and the government eased Friday with both parties forming a working group to iron out issues.rn rnThe working committee will meet on February 13 to untangle issues on local access charges, ways to prevent illegal access and rules to prevent cross subsidies. rn rnMinistry sources said the issue will be […]
Big No
The cabinet has taken a firm stand to disconnect the licence of any telecom operator who refuses to toe in line with the new telecom liberalization policy.At a meeting headed by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, cabinet opted to go ahead with its liberalisation policy, which includes the hotly debated interconnection issue, making it compulsory for all […]