Biz Briefs

Boost for Ceylon Tea

‘Ceylon Tea’ which pioneered the small Indian Ocean Island to global stardom for more than a century received an upgrading recently at the world’s largest annual food and beverage exhibition 'Gulfood' in Dubai.

The platform was a Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea of the Year Competition and a charity tea auction focusing on discerning tea consumers in the Middle East and Gulf region. The event portrayed the strength of unity and understanding of another public and private partnership within the Sri Lanka tea industry.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board, the Colombo Tea Trader’s Association with the Tea Promotion Unit of the office of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai teamed up to organise this promotional program

Food worth $ 400 b wasted each year

Food worth US $ 400 billion is wasted by consumers every year around the world, according to a new report by UK nonprofit Waste and Resources Action Program.

The vast majority of food is wasted in Asia, followed by Europe and then North America. The report is based on United Nations estimates that consumers waste 280 million tons of food each year.

- CNNMoney


 

AirAsia posts first loss in two years

AirAsia, one of the continent's most successful carriers, has posted its first net loss in two years, citing currency exchange losses and higher taxes.

The firm said its net loss for the three months to December amounted to Malaysia ringgit (MYR)429 million ($120 million, £77.8 million).

The result compares to a MYR 169 million profit for the same quarter a year earlier. The airline said foreign exchange losses of MYR 647.6 million with higher airport landing costs in Malaysia had contributed to its poor results. - BBC

Samsung appoints new MD

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital technologies, has appointed Youngmin Shin as the Managing Director of Samsung operations in Sri Lanka.

Youngmin Shin will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and will lead all of Samsung Electronics’ business operations as the company strives to further strengthen its leadership and market presence in the country and the region.

Samsung has experienced consistent growth in the South Asian region and is poised to continue increasing its market share in the mobile and consumer electronics in Sri Lanka as well.

Sunshine Holdings - new chairman

Following the retirement of Sunshine Group chairman Rienzie Wijetilleke, the position was taken over by Munir Shaikh.

Shaikh who comes from a strong Pharmaceutical background, was Managing Director of the Pakistan branch of healthcare company Abbott from 1970 to1977.

As the Regional Manager Caribbean and West Indies for Abbott, he was based in Puerto Rico from 1977 to 2008 and later posted to Abbott's headquarters in Chicago He said that his vision for the Group is to drive it towards new horizons.

Dimo wins Daimler award

Dimo won the number one position in the South East Asia region for 'Service Excellence' in After Sales Service at the Daimler South East Asia - 'Service Excellence Awards 2014' held in Singapore recently.

Being recognised as the best in South East Asia for Mercedes-Benz Service is the highest accolade Dimo has won in its 75-year history.

Success at these awards is the result of many efforts taken by Mercedes-Benz passenger service team since 2010. Many initiatives, strategies and action plans were implemented to win this recognition .

The highlight of the achievement is that Dimo outperformed the 'established and bigger' countries in the region, which includes Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia which have been winning this top award regularly.

NCCSL - 56th AGM

The 56th AGM of the National Chamber of Commerce (NCCSL) was held at the Kingsbury Hotel recently. Here the chief guest Minister of Buddhasasana Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Chamber Tilak Godamanna, Past Chairman Asoka Hettigoda and guests at the head table.