Biz Briefs  

BoC loans for tea factories

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) has launched a special loan scheme for tea factory owners to build working capital with the direction received from the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank. The opportunity is open for tea estate owners who have registered with the Sri Lanka Tea Board to apply for the loan.

Tea estate owners who meet the conditions set out by the Tea Board will be eligible for the amount recommended by the Board. The facility can be repaid over a 60-months.

This loans will be disbursed at an annual interest rate of 8 percent.

Canadian schols

The Moratuwa and Peradeniya Universities will benefit from the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program launched by the Government of Canada to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.

This program facilitates Canadian and other international Commonwealth students to pursue their undergraduate and graduate level studies in Canada and other developing countries in the Commonwealth.

The program will provide up to 40 million Canadian dollars towards 1,500 scholarship recipients over five years.

Increase in cruise tourism

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau has invited, Vice President, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, John Tercek to visit Sri Lanka and address the business community.

Cruise tourism has recorded substantial growth in Sri Lanka with 18 cruise line visits in 2011, 22 liners in 2014 and currently at 40. Sri Lanka with its excellent geo strategic location and being a maritime hub could leverage on this surge.

CASL annual report competition

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CASL) has commenced accepting entries for the Annual Report competition that promotes transparency, accountability and good governance.

The competition being held for the 51st year, will revolve around the theme 'Clarity Redefined' and is open to any organization ranging from conglomerates, NGOs to SMEs that produce an annual report.

This year's competition aims at encouraging organizations and compilers of annual reports to produce a clear, cohesive and customized report to reflect the operation of each individual company.

The entries for the competition will close on September 10, 2015.