Confederation of Indian Industry to set up office in Colombo

The two chambers have been working to promote economic co-operation formed a Joint Task Force after signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 1994. To implement recommendation made by the task force and address other issues, the CII and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) formed the Joint Economic Council (JEC) earlier during the year.

Addressing a meeting with the press Mr. Bharat Ram said that the office to be located at the premises of the Ceylon Chamber would help develop policies and promote opportunities in Sri Lanka to Indian businesses. He said that Sri Lanka is a major export market for Indian goods in South Asia and that Indian exports to Sri Lanka had increased by 20% from the previous year to US$ 520 million in the 1999-2000 period. The same period had also experienced an increase in Sri Lankan imports into India from US$ 27 million to US$ 46 million. 

The CII President mentioned that many leading Indian companies like Leyland, Ambuja Cements, Apollo Hospitals, L&T, NIIT, Aptech, etc. have set up operations in Sri Lanka and that many more companies are in the pipeline. He also said that his confederation fully supports the Free Trade Agreement and that it is beneficial to both countries. 

Mr. Subodh Bhargava, Co-Chairman of the JEC in his address said that the council had met twice on earlier occasions in the two counties and had added to its agenda greater focus on IT and Tourism. He said that though the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force in March this year, the Indian businesses and industries were not fully aware of its benefits and that the JEC would take efforts to promote this in both countries. 

Speaking on IT he said that Sri Lanka would be able to energize on the Indian IT strength in the region and can harness immediate opportunities. In tourism some matters have been identified for discussion. These include a visa free system of travel between the two countries, promotion of Colombo as a convention center in India, facilitating validity of the Rupee credit card in Sri Lanka and promoting joint pilgrim tourism while increasing the number of flights between the two countries to various parts of India.

The Co-Chairman of the JEC representing Sri Lanka, Mr. Mano Selvanathan said that the CCC was working with BOI and the CII in promoting awareness of the FTA with India. Asked to comment on the awareness of the FTA in Sri Lanka he said that the levels are high.

The JEC also signed an agreement in August 2000 in New Delhi to promote the FTA, IT, HIV/AIDS awareness and health issues, WTO related issues, corporate governance, exchange of business delegations, trade fairs, etc. The third meeting of the council was also to be held during the visit of the delegation focusing discussion on the tourism and IT issues.

Greater co-operation for entrepreneurial culture

Graetian Gunawardhana, Chairman & Managing Director of Hands International Group of Companies was judged the Entrepreneur of the Year 1999 being awarded the platinum award. 

R.G.Hewabowala, Chairman & Managing Director, Silicone Coatings (Pvt) Ltd. and Padmasiri Muthumala, Managing Director, Ruhunu Grinding Mills (Pvt) Ltd. won the other two overall gold awards.

Speaking further Mr. Wijesinghe said that the government should create a sound macro economic framework, infrastructure, improved technical and management education and a suitable fiscal regime to promote entrepreneurship. 

He recommended that the chamber and the BOI work together to undertake a programme of information dissemination at regional level, foster backward linkages and conduct regional investment promotions to promote the entrepreneurial spirit. 

While highlighting certain socio-economic constraints that inhibit entrepreneurial spirit, he also stressed a need to review Inland Revenue, Customs and BOI laws to overcome them. 

President of the federation Mr. Lal de Mel in his address said that the right spirit has been implemented and should be taken further. 

Accepting the award Mr. Gunawardhana said that it was his determination, dedication and perseverance that enabled him to win the award. Hands International first started manufacturing gloves for the American market and later ventured into manufacturing bags and exporting tropical fish. The awards are a means of recognising outstanding entrepreneurs at all levels by FCCISL in the agriculture, industrial and service sectors. The fifth successive awards this year included mini competitions at provincial level. The panel of judges comprised representatives of various accredited institutions such as IESL, CIMA, SLIM, PGIM and IFS.

Abdul Rahims goes online

The site that came up in November also offers customers the option of buying hampers this season and will soon offer services such as delivery and e-gift vouchers in addition to many other online services. Other features of the web site include an online bridal registry that would allow newly weds to buy all household necessitates online. Abdul Rahim's undertakes to deliver the goods the newly weds doorstep along with a little surprise gift for their home. Officials said that they expected the online store to complement their sales this season. They continue to offer customers with the wide range of hampers to choose from, in addition the option of choosing the appliances that go into the hamper. 

Icon of French style and technology launched in Sri Lanka

The harp of the 607 is that it is an 'intelligent car' supported by numerous features. Though the design by Peugeot Design Centre has moved towards a more sculpted design with streamlined hood and bonnet with proportioned body surfaces; some local car enthusiasts feel it is now Japanese in shape. The car still maintains a spacious interior and luggage area. Choosing a colour isn't much of a problem as there are 13 body colours and 4 interior schemes.

The cars being marketed locally would be the standard 2.2 litre manual transmission with 135 bhp and the deluxe 3.0 litre automatic transmission with 210 bhp versions. The automatic gearbox has also a tiptronic sequential shift.

An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that works with traction control, electronic brake distribution, ABS and fron & rear 'curtain' airbags are some of the safety features of the new model. An emergency brake assistance mechanism is yet another safety feature for the Sri Lankan city driving scenario as it improves the braking distance by 25%.

Some of the luxury options like JBL acoustic 10 speaker system with a 6 CD changer, leather trim, Xenon headlights, rear electric sunblind and alloy wheels are standard on the new 607's. For the environmentally concerned this model would be a sound option as 90% of materials used are recyclable.

The car comes with a 12 year corrosion warranty and a 3 year paintwork guarantee ranging

Carmart Limited are the sole distributors for Peugeot in Sri Lanka.

The Peugeot 607 intelligent features -
- Reverse radar
- Memory system to remember seat adjustment, head restraints and exterior rear view mirror positions
-Automatic rain sensors that activates wipers and adjusts according to intensity
- Automatic illumination of headlights according to available daylight
- Electrochrome rear view mirror
- Under-inflation tyre pressure detector
- Service indicator
- Climate control AC
- Automatic radio volume adjustment.

Double Gold for Silicone Coatings the house of NIPPOLAC

At the '99 Sri Lankan Entrepreneur Awards

By Murali Jayadeva

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Raja said, "I began my career with an apprenticeship in a paint company which kindled my interest in making paints.

I learned the basic blends and the recipes and obtained assistance from my friends in the industry. 

Within a short period I was able to gather sufficient knowledge which led me to the study for a Diploma at the Moratuwa University. Having obtained a Diploma in rubber and plastic technology at the Moratuwa University and an associate membership of the Paint Research Association UK I embarked on this Nippolac paint industry on a very low profile."Explaining further he said, "I did not have any machinery to start with. 

After manually grinding and mixing the chemicals, my first attempt was in the manufacture and marketing of Chinese Lacquer Enamel Paint in small containers of 100ml and 50ml. This was my first business strategy to capture the small users of the area".

To elicit more information we asked him: What were the main obstacles faced by him as a fledgling entrepreneur in the paint industry? He said, "My main problem was lack of finance. Further my lack of expertise in the field militated against me. The other was how to focus Nippolac". 

This led us to the question, How did he overcome these obstacles? He said, 

"It would be interesting to know that the initial loan I raised from my relatives was invested for purchasing a drum of Resin". 

"I started by satisfying the needs of the rural users of paint. Over the years however, the improved technology and diversified marketing strategies have made Nippolac capture a significant market share in this fiercely competitive industry."

We asked him what quality improvement measures he has implemented for Nippolac? He said, "We have a well equipped laboratory, technically trained staff, qualified science graduates to undertake quality control. We resort to quality testing by CISIR and through foreign laboratories. 

We keep ourselves updated with latest technical developments from the Paint Research Association UK." He added, "One of the basic parameters of our product policy is continuous Nippolac product quality improvement." At the end of the interview we felt that this entrepreneur worked to a plan with dedication and commitment which has taken him to the pinnacle of success. And today Raja Hewabowala, the "Nippolac man" is a happy man as he has reaped the benefits of his sweat and toil over the years and his untiring efforts have earned him the National Gold Trophy award. 

Touchwood Mahogany launch : a great success

Metropolitan upgrades telephone system for Asiri

Incidentally the existing Ericsson system too was supplied and installed by the Metropolitan Group.

Asiri Hospitals, which underwent a major facelift to improve all available facilities to patients as well as to the renowned medical practitioners who regularly patronize the hospital, is now equipped with the latest medical as well as communication equipment to offer a better service to compete with the rapidly expanding medical industry.

Hotshot in a hot spot

Hotshot a new hangout which has got an amazing range of exciting and delicious coffees for you to sip. Coffee beans from Costa Rica, Kenya and Java Estate serve the traditional Dark Espresso, Cappuccino or a Cafe Latte. There are lots more on the special Hotshot list such as Frio Cafe Mocha, Latte Macchiato or the Frosty Coffee Shake that lets you feast your taste buds.

What's a cafe without those gooey chocolate cakes, yummy, fudgey desserts that make your mouth water? Croissants and pastries too? We've got those too, to mesmerize you.That's not all - enjoy a game of pool on the world championship tables with the original Aramith Belgium balls which makes your shot a HOTSHOT!. What can we say - It's More Than Just a 'Cuppa' Coffee! A hangout.... HOTSHOT!

Keells Hotels launch Asia's largest website

With 194 web pages, johnkeellshotels.com is the largest hotel chain web site not only in Sri Lanka, but in the whole of Asia, and has been short listed by the prestigious Reed Elsevier Travel Weekly East magazine as being among the 5 best designed and most informative hotel group web sites in Asia. 

Using advanced JAVA and Flash web technologies to show over 900 photographs of Sri Lanka and the Keells resorts, the launch of these web and wap sites places Keells Hotels firmly among the leaders in e-commerce technology marketing in Sri Lanka .

One of the special highlights of the Keells web site is that every Thursday morning Keells Hotels will "publish special offers" for the coming weekend on their web site. 

These offers will provide for substantial discounts on normal resident rates for stays on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at selected Keells hotels with the added attraction of an E prize draw on their new site. You could submit your e-mail address on www.johnkeellshotels.com and be a part of the draw, with the prize being a weekend voucher for 2 on full board basis at a Keells Platinum Hotel of their choice - Bentota Beach, the Citadel in Kandy and the Lodge Habarana. 

Keells Hotels have also launched their own wap site for wap mobile phone users at www.johnkeelshotels.net while readers without a mobile phone could still be able to view the wap site through the wap emulator at http://www. johnkeellshotels.net.com/wap. 

According to the newly appointed Sales Director, Keells Hotels, Mr. Jayantissa Kehelpannala the hotel will use the web site as a dynamic marketing tool to announce special offers and discounts which deliver incredible value for money.

ZILLlONe launches latest version of ACCPAC for Windows 

ACCPAC for Windows with its financial and operational management product suite is considered to be a mid-market ERP solution and is positioned to serve the medium to large enterprises. With the product being packaged into different editions such as Corporate Series, Small Business Series, etc the solution could easily scale itself to support several users and high transaction volume.

ACCPAC for Windows is also developed as a Multi-tier distributed solution with a very strong middle tier developed based on the Microsoft Component Object Model to encapsulate the business logic and with multiple options such as windows based desktop, thin clients, WEB browsers, WAP clients, etc. as the front end. The product is open to support multiple databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, Pervasive SQL, and other databases and is supported on Windows 2000, NT, Linux, and Netware platforms.

ACCPAC for Windows is also technologically ahead with its e.Business product suit that can make the ACCPAC solutions WEB enabled. And Customizing ACCPAC using its development capabilities such as COM objects and VBA language to suit any industry, and process, and any business requirement enables ACCPAC to stay ahead of the competition.

HSBC rewards Royal College

This came as a result of a mutually beneficial promotion organised by HSBC to help some of the old girls'/old boys' associations of some of the leading schools in the island to raise funds for their alma maters while helping to increase HSBC's credit card base. 

Among the schools are, Royal College, St. Bridget's Convent, Isipatana College, Prince of Wales, Moratuwa and Trinity College Kandy.

The Royal College Union, by promoting HSBC's credit card to their friends and families have been successful in collecting the highest sum, so far collected by any school. 

A sum of Rs. 500/- was gifted by HSBC for every successful Gold card application and Rs. 200/- for every successful Classic card application to the Royal College Union. 

Return to Business Contents