Category: Other
Sri Lanka targets Russia with specialty teas
Dec 19, 2011 (LBO) – A specialty tea contest held in Russia recently would help Sri Lankan exporters promote Ceylon teas in the biggest market for the island’s main agricultural export, officials said. ‘Blind tasting’ of the teas was done by a panel of 12 tea tasters with 66 entries being sent to Russia for […]
India probes stock price-rigging
NEW DELHI, Asia Pulse (LBO) – India’s market watchdog is probing the role of at least 25 newly-listed firms, which includes the holding company, certain brokers and merchant bankers. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is also probing the possibility of cartelisation among the company promoters, brokers and merchant bankers for rigging the […]
Sri Lanka tea meet to seek common standard
Dec 16, 2011 (LBO) – Tea producing and consuming countries will seek to agree on a common standard for pesticide residue levels in tea during a meeting of the United Nations Food and Agriculture organisation body in Colombo early next year. Different MRL standards in markets like Japan and Germany had created problems for exporters […]
Sri Lanka to examine shortcomings in crate law
Dec 15, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will go ahead with a new law requiring transport of fruits and vegetables in plastic crates but would look into any shortcomings after protests by farmers and traders led to shortages in the capital. “We’re not changing the policy,” declared Keheliya Rambukwella, media minister and spokesman for the […]
‘s Tata Power signs up US$68mn for solar power
NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (AsiaPulse) – Tata Power (BSE:500400) said it has tied up funds for its 25-MW solar project in Gujarat, which is to see an investment of about Rs 365 crore (US$68.7 million). Tata Power has inked a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the project with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (PTI) cg […]
‘s CIC and Dubai firm in indoor plant deal
Dec 12, 2011 (LBO) – Dubai-based S S Lootah International said it had inked a partnership with Sri Lanka’s CIC Agri Business to supply ornamental plants to the UAE and later jointly expand into tissue culture with an eye on markets in Africa. The statement said CIC Agribusiness works with 25,000 rural farmers. “We will […]
Sri Lanka top tuna loin exporter to EU
Dec 09, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has emerged as the top tuna loin exporter to the European Union and is ramping up production aiming to earn a billion dollars from fishery exports in nine years, an official said. Senaratne said the island had cracked down on illegal and destructive fishing methods like bottom trawling […]
Sri Lanka fish exports face slowdown in Western markets
Dec 08, 2011 (LBO) – Fish exports from Sri Lanka, which is trying to make the industry a key foreign exchange earner, are being affected by slowing demand in key Western markets, a top export promotion official said. But demand is expected to bounce back, said Janaka Ratnayaka, chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB). […]
India may award oil blocks next March
NEW DELHI, Dec 7 (AsiaPulse) – The Indian government is likely to award oil and gas blocks offered for bidding in ninth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) by March next year, eight months behind schedule. “Some blocks (offered in NELP-IX) were held up due to security issues. By March next year, most of […]
Fairmont eyes 40 hotels in India in five years
NEW DELHI, Dec 7 (AsiaPulse) – Hospitality firm Fairmont Hotels and Resorts plans to operate about 40 hotels in India in the next five years across its three brands — Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel. “In the next 5-6 years, our strategy is to operate up to six hotels under Raffles brand, about 8 to 12 […]
‘s growth slips to 6.9-pct in 2Q
NEW DELHI, Dec 2 (AsiaPulse) – Confirming a slowdown, India’s economic growth rate slipped to 6.9 per cent in the second quarter this fiscal year, the lowest in nine quarters, prompting the government to lower its full-year growth projection to 7.3 per cent. Economic growth during the July-September period of 2011-12 fell mainly due to […]
Sri Lanka tea demand perks up after devaluation
Dec 02, 2011 (LBO) – Demand for Sri Lanka’s low grown teas, which make up the bulk of the crop, perked up at this week’s Colombo auctions after increased orders from key overseas buyers and the snap devaluation of the rupee, brokers said. “Despite Sri Lanka tea production in the month of October recording a […]