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Accelerate
housing, tourism development - Paski "The importance of such investments as an integral part of the rehabilitation and reconstruction process now initiated in the North and East, the expected supportive facilitation benefits towards the ongoing peace negotiations process and the leverage opportunity in the effective integration of business and civil society throughout the country was also emphasised," a Ceylon Chamber statement said. The chamber said that in the light of the above the private sector's effective participation, on a commercial scale and on a priority basis, in the following areas have been urged:
The statement said the private sector should note that there are non-governmental organisations operating in the north and east, with similar development goals who are willing to pursue these projects with the private sector and may provide a useful partnership network and other collaboration options relating to resource facilitation. "The government will be willing to support the above initiatives of the private sector by facilitating required government guarantees against low cost foreign borrowings taken on a commercial basis to support the projects provided such funds are from credible and acceptable sources, and by making available required insurance cover for assets and personnel deployed in the projects," the statement said. Biz
briefs Ceylinco
Life pays Rs. 300 ml in bonuses All active policyholders who have paid at least one year's premium would be eligible to receive bonuses, the company said. The company's ability to declare bonus payments in excess of Rs. 300 million reflects consistent yields across all categories of policies marketed by the company, in a year of general economic downturn, Ceylinco Insurance's Director/General Manager (Life), R. Renganathan said. "It is significant to note that all these bonuses have been declared after meeting the solvency margin requirements proposed in impending regulations," he stressed. "In fact, Ceylinco Life has solvency cover of more than three times the minimum requirement." 3M's filters
against computer vision syndrome These are typical symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) for which 3M has invented computer filters specially designed to reduce glare caused by overhead lighting and sunlight reflecting off computer screens, the company said. 3M computer filters eliminate up to 99 percent of display glare, greatly improving screen contrast, blocking up to 99.9 % of radiation emitted from the monitor screen. Anti-static protection on the filters eliminates electrostatic build-up and reduces dust build up. The screens are specially designed to suit different needs and environments. Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy Authority had the following to say about 3M AF2001 computer screen filters: "From results obtained, the above filter is capable of blocking very low energy electromagnetic radiation to acceptable levels." ECCSL elects
office bearers Hans Svendsen - President (Managing Director, Danish Agency Pvt. Ltd), Dieter Jung - Vice President (Chairman/Director, Globe Knitting Pvt. Ltd), Heinz Reuter - Treasurer (Managing Director, Prestige Automobile Pvt Ltd), Stig Wanni (Managing Director, Trelleborg Lanka Pvt. Ltd), Koenraad Pringiers (Director, Loadstar Pvt. Ltd), Joe Rajadurai (Country Manager - Sri Lanka and Maldives, British Airways Plc), Dilipan Tyagarajah (Resident Director, Alstom Pvt. Ltd) and Roberto Moran (Country Chairman/Managing Director, Shell Gas Lanka Ltd). Asia
takes firm steps in anti-corruption drive These are among several concrete actions the region has taken since endorsing the Anti-Corruption Action Plan for Asia-Pacific in Tokyo in November 2001. This was reported by representatives of 14 countries at the Action Plan's Steering Group meeting, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Manila last week. Under the Action Plan, governments are developing effective and transparent systems for public service, strengthening anti-bribery actions, promoting integrity in business operations and launching public awareness programmes, an ADB statement said. Officials at the Steering Group meeting reported on reforms taken to comply with the Action Plan and discussed with their colleagues from the region ways to put these into effect. "The strength of the initiative is the dialogue it generates among countries," said Lloyd McKay, Lead Economist, World Bank Philippines Country Office. The Action Plan involves a prominent role for non-government organisations (NGOs) and the private sector in raising public awareness and encouraging reform in co-operation with governments. It also emphasises civil society's role in monitoring public sector programmes and activities. "We value the Action Plan's commitment to involve business and civil society in the fight against corruption at regional and national levels," said Peter Rooke of Transparency International, an NGO fighting corruption worldwide. "Most projects proposed by endorsing governments reflect this commitment." "The ultimate objective is to raise the standard of living for the people of the Asia-Pacific region," said Stephen Olson, Acting President of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, an international business association representing 1,000 firms in 20 countries. "Corruption siphons off revenues that could be used for education, health care, and social services, and hampers the ability of business to create the jobs that fuel economic growth. Reducing corruption will raise the quality of life for all peoples and for their children and grandchildren." Other anti-corruption measures were discussed by country representatives:
The Steering Group will meet again in early 2003 to make a first assessment of the concrete impact of these measures taken under the Action Plan and consider additional legislative and enforcement actions. The group is also expected to welcome new endorsing countries at that time. |
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