Biz Briefs

Mobitel and John Keells introduce ‘mAuction’

Mobitel Business Solutions, a division of Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd with John Keells PLC (the produce broking arm of the John Keells Group) launched ‘mAuction’, a suite of solutions for the Colombo Tea Auction connecting tea brokers and buyers on a single platform through a live feed for the first time in the history of the 130-year-old Colombo Tea Auction.

Grossing an annual market turnover of over US$ 1.5 billion per annum at the tea auction, the potential of this joint initiative is extensive. ‘mAuction’ provides a live channel that delivers real-time information directly to tea buyers, by pushing sale information that is captured by tea brokers at each auction room.

Mihin Lanka to expand operations

Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s national low-cost carrier will expand its operations to Kolkata, India from June 15.

The strategic expansion of Mihin Lanka’s network is in line with its five-year business plan to expand its route network. The airline introduced an Airbus A319 to its fleet in March 2015, and the new aircraft will service Kolkata and will also support increasing frequencies to some of the airline key routes - Dhaka, Madurai, Lahore, Gaya and Varanasi.

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and is the commercial, cultural and educational centre of East India.

Construction Expo in June

Construction Expo 2015, one of Sri Lanka’s most comprehensive exhibitions featuring every factor related to the construction and building industry will be held from June 12-14 at the BMICH.The Ceylon Institute of Builders with Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services will organise the event for the fourth consecutive year.

Construction Expo 2015, will also feature a ‘World Construction Symposium’ with the participation of foreign construction giants.

There will be a Chinese pavilion with the products of over 30 companies on display. The visiting Chinese delegation will hold B2B meetings and seek prospective agents and distributors.

E-tel introduces new smartphone

E-tel, one of the highest selling mobile phone brands in Sri Lanka, has introduced a new smartphone in its ‘Curiosity’ series, which importer Brantel said will help the brand expand its market share further.

The E-tel Curiosity N4 has dual cameras, dual flash, dual microphones and dual speakers that offer enhanced quality selfies and better sound transmission in noisy environments, a company official said.

Two LB Finance branches in Jaffna

LB Finance PLC opened its Jaffna Premier branch at Hospital Road and Jaffna City Branch at Stanley Road, in Jaffna recently.

This opening will be a discernible opportunity for the people in Jaffna to obtain financial facilities such as leasing, gold loan, mortgage loans, factoring, margin trading and investment opportunities such as fixed deposits and savings accounts with enormous financial returns.

CCC seminar for exporters

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will conduct a seminar to educate exporters on how to increase exports using the GSP schemes and FTAs to wide markets covering the EU market, Norway, India and Pakistan.

The seminar will be held on Wednesday. Trade experts of the Department of Commerce will highlight products and sectors that have duty concessions and preferential terms through the FTAs and GSP schemes.