BIZ BRIEFS

The first ever loan scheme for small-scale rubber estate owners by the Thurusaviya Fund and Bank of Ceylon hasbeen titled Thurusaviya Loan Scheme.

This loan scheme was initiated under the patronage of General Manger D M Gunasekara and the Bank's corporate management.

Rubber is one of the three main export crops in our country. At present, Sri Lanka produces 150,000 metric tons of rubber per month. The income received from the export of rubber in 2010 was Rs. 83,224 million ($ 736 million).

Taxation agreement

An agreement for avoidance of double taxation between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg was signed recently in Luxembourg.

Sri Lanka Ambassador to Belgium, Luxemburg and the Head of Mission to the European Union P.M. Amza signed the agreement on behalf of the Sri Lankan government while Luc Frieden Minister of Finance of Luxemburg signed it on behalf of the Luxembourg government.

Both countries are expected to reap the benefits generated by the agreement to enhance the flow of trade and business activities.

BA to resume flights

British Airways will return to Sri Lanka Lanka shortly, said UK Minister Alistair Burt at a guest lecture on 'Sri Lanka: 2013 and beyond' at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies.

Burt said that the resumption of flights by British Airways reflects the fact that British tourists continue to visit Sri Lanka in large numbers. British Airways, UK’s national carrier will be returning to Sri Lanka after a lapse of 10 years.

The airline will operate flights from Gatwick to Colombo three times a week via Male, Civil Aviation Authority sources said.

ComBank presents equipment to Matara Hospital

Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager, Marketing Hasrath Munasinghe (second from left) presents the equipment to the Director of the General Hospital Matara, Dr. M A S C Samarakoon. Coordinator of the Commercial Bank's CSR Trust, Ms Priyanthi Perera, the Hospital’s Consultant VP, Dr. Wimalasiri Uluwattage, Nursing Officer Ashok Kumara and Matron Ms. A G S Gunasekara look on.

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon (ComBank) gifted medical equipment to the District General Hospital Matara under the Bank's corporate social responsibility program.

A patient monitor was gifted and the Bank pledged to provide five pulse oxymeters, a patient monitor and syringe pumps.

The donation coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Commercial Bank's Matara branch, which commenced operations on January 24, 1973 as the seventh branch in a network that now comprises 227 service points in Sri Lanka. The funds for the donation are provided by the Commercial Bank's CSR Trust.

Philips promotion at Singer

Singer and SisilWorld outlets are having promotions and giveaways of Philips products up to April 2013.

"Singer and Philips bring you the latest home theatre systems, hi-fis', portable audios, blu-ray players, DVD players, Android, iphone and ipod docking stations and radio clocks," a spokesman for the company said.

"Singer provides payment plans ranging from three to 36 months and supports its customers with an efficient after-sales service. You can even obtain a three-year extended warranty by paying a nominal fee," he said.

Singer has been the authorised distributor for Philips products in Sri Lanka since 2008.

Amana Bank gets Global Commerce Excellence Award

KIA Motors appoints Andrew Perera as COO

KIA Motors (Lanka) Limited has appointed Andrew Perera as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Andrew Perera said, "These are good times for KIA locally and globally, and I am eager to contribute to the brand's growing success in Sri Lanka. "We have already acquired a three-acre site at Malabe for expansion that will lead to enhanced showroom space and a state-of-the-art logistics centre close to the highway. I am delighted to play a key operational role in bringing these plans to fruition."

Renuka Shaw Wallace launches ready-to-eat soya curry

Renuka Shaw Wallace PLC recently launched its ready-to-eat soya curry, in a can. "The new ready-to-eat soya curry was developed by the Group's R and D team using various recipes to get the exact taste and profile preferred by Sri Lankan consumers," a spokesman for the company said.

"In accordance with the Group's quality standards and using spices and condiments sourced locally, the ready-to-eat soya curry emulates the authenticity of traditional Sri Lankan cooking," he said. The product was launched at Renuka Shaw Wallace PLC's annual sales conference recently.

Lanka Aluminium in Malabe

Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC opened a Sales and Service Centre in Malabe recently. The new sales and service centre will provide fabricators, contractors, and other relevant personnel with their requirement of aluminium extrusions. Here Managing Director, Lanka Aluminium, Dinal Peiris and officials at the opening.