Transparency and professionalism key to Abans success - Ms Pestonjee

Abans began as a small private enterprise in the late 1970's with only one employee.

Today, the Abans Group consists of over 30 companies, and over 12,000 employees, diversified in various fields of trading, manufacturing, services, finance. Real estate, hospitality, travel and tours, printing and solid waste management.

"We already have two companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange - Abans Finance and Abans Electricals which maintain transparency and professionalism, providing customers with efficient service and satisfaction giving stakeholders rich dividends.

Abans Environmental Services works closely with the Colombo Municipal Council providing solid waste disposal and street cleaning services" said Founder and Chairperson of the Abans Group Aban Pestonjee. "When the time is right, we might consider going in for an IPO for the Abans Group. And when that happens, I can assure you, that those who subscribe to the Abans IPO will be richly rewarded and will have no cause for regret.

Abans policy from the inception has been to be cautious in their dealings, to assure that customers get their fair share of value for their money, and to ensure that customers are never disappointed," she added.

Commenting on her success from small beginnings to building a business empire, Pestonjee said, "I firmly believe in HPH, that is honesty, perseverance and hard work. I believe that if you work hard and honestly, then what you earn stays with you and makes you content, but money earned dishonestly and unscrupulously will never make you happy.

This is what I have always believed in and which has worked well for me and the Abans Group". She attributed the success of the Abans Group to the dedication, devotion and hard work of directors, managers and staff who have contributed to make Abans organisation that it is today.

Ms. Pestonjee said that she was happy that there was opportunity and scope for business and diversification in the liberated areas.

Also the development program of the government with extensive improvement to infrastructure in Colombo and major cities will no doubt boost tourism and foreign investment to hitherto unprecedented heights.

She said that she was confident that Sri Lanka will become a major tourist and investment hub in Asia in the near future. "However, the tax structure should be simplified, and taxes and duties should not be changed randomly, which creates a lot of speculation and uncertainty to the business community." she said. For the future development of Abans, Ms. Pestonjee said that they were eyeing the tourism sector and related field with the intention of investing in super shopping malls with leisure and entertainment areas to attract tourists and locals.

She said "We need to get tourists to spend money on things that they will appreciate and get value for their money, taking back with them memories of our country to which word of mouth will be the best promotion our country will get.