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| Sunday, 4 July 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Recycled and handmade - A paper business with a difference by Chanuka Mannapperuma Shyama de Silva the owner of 'Soleil' handmade Papers,an accountant by profession started the business five years ago. "I wanted to do something different as a business.I used to come to Colombo and I heard about the industry.I tried, out on my own and the, IDB helped and advised me to develop the art of making recycled paper",she said. Shayma has a own factory at Matara with a staff of 15 engaged in the manufacture of the paper.To make the paper we use a mixture of 75% fibre,25% waste paper." We use all eco-friendly materials like banana fibre, tea fibre, citronella, paranas and sugarcane. These raw materials are supplied by those living in and around Matara District." In this way we have been able to provide about 25 job opportunities indirectly",she added. The products comprise wedding stationery, cards, cake boxes, wrapping paper,Thank you cards,gift bags,carrier bags and memo pads. The providers are priced at various levels. Cards will cost from Rs.30 upwards, Cake boxes from Rs.20 upwards and bags cost from Rs.25 upwards. She said that her products are made of 100% local raw materials. She has a very good local market and makes a good profits.The products are supplied to Laksala,Gift Market, hotels and leading shops. "Soleil hand made papers',have still not entered the export market .But about 75% of the orders come from Sri Lankans living abroad" she said. Shyama, talking about her future plans, said " My aim is to give customer satisfaction and I hope to gradually increase our production capacity, but I don't intend going massscale since this will make me do a quick job and not a quality job." |
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