Paradise Bliss

Brides and grooms in search of the dream wedding locations with a tropical twist have found the ideal setting in local beach resorts.The south coast is slowly emerging as one of the top wedding destinations for Europeans who want a beach ceremony.Hotels that specialise in wedding packages say its more profitable to tap this market […]

Cold Cuppa

The tea industry continued its ill fate with indications that around 25% to 30% of all teas brought to the weekly auctions in Colombo would remain unsold. Brokers say low prices and a lack of demand could lead to a liquidity shortfall ahead of the Sinhala Tamil New Year in April. The low grown sector […]

Act Two

The private sector is calling for amendments to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act that is due to come into force on April 1, saying it has too many holes.The Act became law on the March 17 and is due to come into effect from April 1.rn rnAmong key concerns is the impartiality of politically appointed […]

Mpowering Production

Trade chambers and companies are trying to convince financial institutions to cut lending rates in line with the government policy of single digit interest rates. Progress however has been slow.rnrnrn Companies are keen to minimise interest costs onrnterm and working capital loans.rnrnrn Consultancy firms specialising in improving thernsupply chain however say there are other ways […]

Money Talks

The Kopp Ceciles say this time theyve found heaven in their vacation. They are enjoying the peace and quiet of a secludedrnsmall boutique hotel in the southern Sri Lanka. The stuff picture postcards arernmade of.rnrnrn Most of all, they are enjoying the individual care andrnspace that they are receiving. It is costing them more than […]

Marketing Brands

Marketing professionals are rethinking brand strategies, as the country gets ready for a phase of growth and consolidation. Long thought out survival strategies are fast being replaced by aggressive growth plans. The changing fortunes on the economic front are posing a new set of challenges for brands faced with growing consumer demand and sophistication.rn rnThe […]

Dud Ball

Professional service sectors are trying to drum up support to push for amendments that will re-define the scope of the new Consumer Affairs Authority Act. rnrnPassed in Parliament in January, the Act has been heavily criticised for making a sweeping generalisation of controls available for all services as well as traders.rn rnThe Act was hauled […]

New Bud

A strategy to expand its investment options will see Amana Investments venturing into the tea brokering business shortly.Amana will hold a 55 per cent stake in the Rs. 15 million venture, with six other investors taking up the balance shareholding.The new firm endash Tea Commodity Brokers endash opens shop in early July and will tap […]

Victory Circle

Wasted are those sleepless nights, the effort, passion and pain invested. Lost forever. Gone to their final resting place. I shall avenge this death. I will not rest. No pain or suffering will hold me back. For next year I will be back for my SLIM Award. It all ended with the award for agency […]

BDS for SMIs

Experts say quality business development services like training and consultancy could change the way business is done in the island.rn rnldblquote There are many instances in the country where small people were given money but the project they embarked upon became failures because didnt have the know how. It is the expertise that will come […]

Destination Confusion

The government is making plans to capitalise on the upturn in tourism fortunes in the country. A new law is in the pipeline that would see the hands-on involvement of the tourism industry in planning and rolling out a marketing campaign for the country.rn rnThe industry is expecting a record half a million visitors this […]

Buy Laws

Professional services are in the firing line as everyone, from your doctor, to your lawyer to your stockbroker get roped in under a lquote one size fits all Consumer Affairs Authority Act.The new Act in effect is the old Consumer Protection Act, the Control of Prices Act and the Fair Trading Commission Act all rolled […]

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