ICC’s Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) group has cautioned the UK government to keep an open mind and consider the broader implications of imposing plain packaging regulations on tobacco products. These include the risk of increasing counterfeiting and smuggling and creating a precedent for extreme restrictions of intellectual property (IP) rights and ...

The EXPO 2012, a timely and important mega event organized by the Export development board especially at the point of time when the economy is beginning to develop as a result of a few years of peace, was no doubt an absolute need of the hour. It was pleasing to note that more than 1300 ...

Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment's 20th anniversary The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) recently marked its 20th anniversary. Forerunner to the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the organisation was set up by London Stock Exchange practitioners to fill a void.   Since the Big Bang in 1986, the Stock Exchange had ...

The EXPO 2012, a timely and important mega event organised by the Export development board especially at the point of time when the economy is beginning to develop as a result of a few years of peace, was no doubt an absolute need of the hour.   It was pleasing to note that more than ...

REUTERS: The Obama administration’s man in charge of squeezing Tehran over its nuclear program is unapologetic for the difficulties faced by banks in their dealings with Iran since the US tightened sanctions against the country. Companies that trade with Iran are struggling to get paid and the biggest Asian countries are scrambling to work around ...

Nokia has introduced a range of new products, services and partnerships at Mobile World Congress, setting the pace for 2012 and demonstrating rapid execution of its new strategic direction. The new strategy already has resulted in the adoption of Windows Phone as Nokia’s primary smartphone platform, major changes to its feature phones, and additional emphasis ...

Top US Agency clears way, enlists Lankan made mats for restoration projects In a new boost to Sri Lanka’s geo-textile industry and Sri Lanka’s standing as world’s largest exporter of coir fibre, a top US government agency has cleared the way for Sri Lankan made geo-textiles for two projects. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...

Country records second successive year of over 20% growth in exports; 2011 full year value tops $ 10 b; when ICT exports included total figure to rise to $ 11 bConfirming resilience and an   improved competitive mindset amidst global and local difficulties, Sri Lanka’s exports sector has concluded its second year of over 20% growth. ...

Following are excerpts of an interview with Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) Secretary T.M.F. Packeer, who is also Managing Director and CEO of Asian Exotica Ltd. Q: Sri Lanka Tourism has a very clear future standing as articulated by the President, of 2.5 million visitors by 2016. Is this expectation realistic? A: ...

Can sharing an idea help take it from the drawing board to the marketplace? Talk may cost nothing but new research indicates it gives an entrepreneur a better chance of success By Jane Williams INSEAD Knowledge: It may not be necessary to have the charisma of Bill Gates or the late Steve Jobs

By Cassandra Mascarenhas The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), as part of its ‘Power Evening’ series of events, presented an eclectic combination of chairmen from leading organisations in the country last week and at the occasion delved into the subject ‘Performing While Conforming – What the Textbooks Don’t Teach You’ by sharing experiences from ...

Specialising in the development of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Bileeta (Private) Limited has earned a reputation – both here and abroad – for providing a cutting-edge solution to both medium and large-scale enterprises. CEO Sanji De Silva and COO Sanka Weerasinghe of Bileeta are on an aggressive growth path that continues to gain recognition, ...

Indrani Sugathadasa, Chairperson of Sri Lanka's Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has finally caved in -- resigning from the post after a running battle with powerful investors and other brokers over stringent regulatory measures, SEC officials said on Thursday. Ms Sugathadasa, appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had vowed to stay on and fight against these powerful interests partic...

Countries get known for various reasons and some labels stick for long time. Citizens almost always mould the character of the nation. It is usual to hear the efficiency and punctuality of Germans. We Sri Lankans boast of being known for our hospitality and friendliness – may be at least to outsiders. However, it is ...

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the most powerful Arab woman in the world, who is also the Minister of Foreign Trade of United Arab Emirates, will be arriving in Colombo tomorrow on a three-day official visit amidst renewed bilateral trade efforts between Sri Lanka and UAE. She is visiting Sri Lanka on ...

DUBAI, UAE: Emirates airline produced a net profit of Dhs 827 million (US$ 225 million), for the first six months of its current financial year ending 30th September 2011.  The airline continues to be the fastest growing airline in the world and continues to make a profit despite unstable global economic, geopolitical and environmental conditions. ...

As Sri Lankan consumers become more brand-conscious, local and multinational companies have intensified their competition for the hearts, minds, and wallets of these shoppers. A key front in this battle is the need to define a distinctive and consistent brand identity through packaging design. At Q&E, a team of brand architects and designers takes a ...

NEW YORK (Reuters): Broker-dealers are taking very different approaches to a new rule that requires them to scrutinize customers’ credit positions and block reckless orders before trades are executed, setting off finger-pointing and new challenges for regulators. Some firms are accusing rivals of casually interpreting a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that bans giving clients ...

Reuters: China warned Washington it is “adamantly opposed” to a proposed U.S. bill aimed at forcing Beijing to let its currency rise, saying its passage could lead to a trade war between the world’s top two economies. In a coordinated response, the Chinese central bank and the ministries of commerce and foreign affairs accused Washington ...

BSA commissioned 32-country study reports ‘points to opportunity for education, enforcement’ Nearly half the world’s personal computer users — 47 percent — acquire software through illegal means most or all of the time, and in developing economies the figures are much higher, according to the most extensive survey ever undertaken on PC users’ behaviours and ...

by Gaston de Rosayro BOOK REVIEW Reviewed By Gaston de Rosayro Title: GLORIOUS JAFFNA Publisher: Asia Capital PLC Authors: Tharindu Amunugama Sunela Samaranayake Among our tropical island’s localities which have been suffused for centuries by calm and contentment, Jaffna...

Indian Trade Fair 2010 is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in August. The Indian Trade Fair will showcase over 160 exhibitors from all parts of India. Sectors will include agriculture, fisheries, plantations, manufacturing, engineering and construction, power and energy, tourism, healthcare. ICT, banking and finance and education services are among the other fields. ...