'Nature's Beauty' by Nature's Secrets 

With more and more women reverting to these timeless secrets, many company's are introducing cosmetics to help today's women to look their best.

With more products being introduced to the market, yet another product giving that special blend of nature and beauty comes the newest product 'Nature's Beauty', the cosmetics scientifically formulated.

The products which are carefully researched, bio active cosmetics products rich in genuine natural extracts from herbs , fruits and plants.

The products which are transformed into creams, lotions fluids and shampoos, enriched with essential oils and vital vitamin s they complement the biological balance of ones skin and hair, restoring them to their natural elasticity, suppleness and vitality.

There is an endless line of products put out by Nature's Secrets, one is given a choice of cosmetics, from moisture replenishing cleansers, shampoo and conditioners, Thambilie E hair oil and nail polish remover, and creams and lotions catering to every need.

Managing Director of 'Nature's Secrets' Mr. Samantha Kumarasinghe at last weeks launch said that all Sri Lankan natural and herbal ingredients are meticulously extracted in their own laboratories to ensure their freshness and authenticity.

Metropolitan to sponsor CIM Annual Conference

This year's Conference takes on a global 'look' with most of the key speakers being world-renowned names in the field of marketing and communications. The keynote speaker at the event - Professor Malcolm McDonald needs little or no introduction. He is an eminent Professor of Marketing and Deputy Director of Cranfield School of Management. He has extensive industrial experience with companies around the world, many of them being major multi-nationals, mostly at board levels. During the past eighteen years he has run management and marketing seminars and workshops in Europe, China, USA, Middle East, Australasia, Austria, Japan and South Africa. He has written more than 30 books and include the best seller "Marketing Plans: How to Prepare Them, How to Use Them" and his latest work on Key Account Management.

Prof. Malcolm McDonald will speak on the The Strategic Role of Marketing Communications in Building Brands, followed by an interactive case study presentation by Santosh Desai, Vice President, McCann Erickson India. 

JKOA launches - 'e-Studio' 

This multi-functional digital photocopier, which could function as a Scanner, Printer, Copier, Fax and also Internet Faxing has powerful PC connectivity and networking options. "It improves productivity, efficiency, saves space and is cost effective as well", said JKOA's Director/General Manager Chandima Perera. Toshiba's e-Studio has a staggering range of 16 to 80 photocopies per minute speed machine. Depending on customer requirement there are host of options that could be configured for a tailor-made document management solution. 

JKOA who are exclusive distributor for Toshiba in Sri Lanka says the e-Studio would be priced at around Rs. 175,000/-, with the options chosen by the respective customer thereafter determining the final price.

Another first by a Lankan 

He is the first in Sri Lanka to obtain this certification. He counts over 30 years banking experience in the field of International Banking and is considered as one of the most knowledgeable persons in this area of business. He is also the Secretary of the Banking and Technical Advisory Committee of the Sri Lanka Banks' Association.

Buildmart to the fore!

Both these projects which were completed on scheduled time inspite of many restrictions, speaks of Buildmarts professionalism, engineering expertise and the construction excellence developed and maintained over a decade as a Grade 1 Contractor in the country today.

Buildmart was ably assisted in this project by M/s. Metroof (Pvt) Ltd., and Amalgamated Building Systems Ltd., two of its five sister companies which makes the BMI Group of Companies - the one stop shop of engineered solutions.

Shipping & Aviation

'SLAVO' calls for liberalisation of bunkers

It is a known fact that the Colombo bunker prices are very high compared to the other ports in the region, such as Singapore, Dubai, etc. As an example, prices on 19th April 2001 (when this is being written) the prices of fuel oil 180 CST in Sri Lanka was US$ 180, in Fujarah US$ 143.50 and in Singapore US$ 145. The prices of Marine diesel oil, Sri Lanka US$ 320, Fujarah US$ 265 and Singapore 224. Is it therefore not surprising that CPC has successfully driven away bunkering vessels from Sri Lanka.

Since of late the vessels calling at Colombo for bunkers had declined considerably. We (SLAVO) are of the opinion that the monopoly of bunker supply is the main cause for the current situation, which has made Colombo to be regarded as a non-competitive and high cost area for supply of bunkers.

If bunker supply is liberalized, the Sri Lanka Port will earn more revenue and the shipping industry too will benefit. At present due to the CPC monopoly, the shipping industry is losing considerable revenue on bunkering revenue.

It is noticed, in the past years bunker supplies in Colombo has dropped drastically mainly due to this factor, but Feeders plying between Colombo and Indian sub continents have no choice but to receive bunkers at Colombo. Due to this the running cost of feeder vessels are high. A large volume of trans-shipment cargo is carried by the common carrier feeders out of Colombo, which fact the Ministry should take into consideration as well.

In view of the above facts, SLAVO appeal to the Government to consider liberalizing the bunkers at Colombo in order to that more vessels would call Colombo to receive bunkers and maintain the status of Colombo Port as an international hub for this service.

Maersk Sealand receives AFIA awards

The AFIA is an annual event organised by Cargonews Asia to acknowledge excellence in global freight transportation. Into its 15th year, the AFIA have become the highlight of the Asian freight industry calendar. These awards are the only Asian freight awards in which the customers and not a panel of judges are asked to vote for the best service providers. The award ceremony was held in Hong Kong on the 16th March 2001.

Maersk Sealand has won the category 'Best Shipping Line - Asia-Europe' from 1988 to 2001 for a total of 13 consecutive years and is also proudly holding the title of 'Best Shipping Line - Transpacific' for the 11th year running. The awards for 'Best Shipping Line - Asia-Middle' and 'Best Global Shipping Line' are handed to Maersk Sealand for the 7th consecutive time.

Mr. Flemming Ipsem, Chief Executive Officer Asia Maersk Sealand, said: "We are delighted to receive these accolades. This acknowledgement of our customers is very important. We would like to thank them for their past and continued support, but also all our people who are committed to the delivery of quality services."

Maersk Sealand is part of the A.P. Moller group, which employs over 10,000 people in 320 offices around the world with a network service span of six continents.

Maersk Logistics China wins four Freight awards

The awards are sponsored by the China Shipping Gazette, an official weekly Chinese magazine published by the State Development and Planning Commission and carried out every second year by the China Communication & Transportation Association.

"The awards are a very important sign of recognition for Maersk Logistics", says Maersk Logistics China Managing Director Steffen Schiottz-Christensen. "They demonstrate that the Chinese market acknowledges Maersk Logistics as a lead logistics provider in all disciplines of the industry."

Maersk Logistics has had a presence in China since 1995. "We have been very focused to provide customers with tailored service solutions in the growing Chinese market, and we consider the awards as a vote of confidence in our commitment to the People's Republic of China".

Qatar Airways Regional Cargo Course in Colombo

Qatar Airways has adopted a policy of conducting their training at convenient locations in the Region with a view to ensure maximum participation in the mandatory training requirements. Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing Airlines in the world and Colombo is one of the their key destinations. At present Qatar Airways operates to Colombo three times a week with convenient connections to all the Middle Eastern points and Europe.

In addition Qatar Airways is keenly involved in promoting Sri Lanka as a holiday destination through Qatar Holidays. 

A plea for sanity from the business community

The Joint Business (J-Biz) Forum comprising all Chambers of Commerce and Industry Employers Organisations and Trade Associations in Sri Lanka has appealed to national leaders and heads of political parties to get together at least for three years - and work as a government of national unity and reconstruction.

"Unite to achieve long term national economic development. This network partnership for development will propel Sri Lanka to become, within five years, one of the most developed amongst the nations presently classified as developing countries," the appeal said.

The appeal was followed by a meeting between J-Biz and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna where both sides discussed economic and political issues. The meeting came a day before President Chandrika Kumaratunga surprised the country and even her ministers by announcing the prorogation of parliament and the holding of a referendum on August 21 to ask the people whether they wanted or not a new constitution.

J-Biz was represented by a cross section of the business community while JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva and parliamentarian Nandana Gunatillake represented the party.

Even though the J-Biz statement on the appeal sent to the president and other political leaders has already appeared in the media , The Sunday Times Business is publishing excerpts (below) of the statement due to public interest in the role of the business community in this period of uncertainty.

Crisis situation

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Joint Business Forum, has made a thorough study of the present economic situation. Explaining the rationale of this carefully developed recommendation, a Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Committee member said that it must be viewed in the context of several potential risks facing the country.

The crisis in the external environment is one such risk. On the one hand, there is a likelihood of a recession in America as well as a looming economic and currency crisis in Europe. Japan is facing the worst economic crisis in ten years. Closer home, in the Philippines and Indonesia, a financial crisis is knocking on the door, threatening the whole of Sri Lanka. The country needs to act now if it were to cushion the blows of the world economic downturn on its export sector.

Sri Lanka's economy is at present under heavy stress. The continuing very high budget deficits have pushed up interest rates. At present rates some business organisations will not be viable, debt collection would be a problem and lenders, in particular the banks, will suffer. 

The situation has worsened with the power crisis. The Ceylon Electricity Board and the Petroleum Corporation losses will amount to a massive 35 billion rupees this year, going by the current world oil prices. The situation will worsen if the prices go up. Power cuts already imposed will adversely affect competitiveness and frustrate delivery deadlines of export orders, especially garments.

There is also the need to prepare ourselves to face the issues and challenges of globalisation and liberalisation. The quality and competitiveness of our export products will be tested and we should be ready for it. Meanwhile, we should be alive to possible risks of the tea industry's present markets and competitiveness in the wake of buyers' preference to move markets to other countries.

Fast losing appeal

What should be done

Secondly, there is an urgent need for the effective enforcement of law, order and security. A recent study done by the Chamber of Commerce revealed that law and order has been deteriorating rapidly. The study helped to identify several critical factors which included the role played by army deserters estimated at over 25,000. Around 7,000 weapons are missing. The number can be more. Drugs abuse and protection of the drug trade by people in powerful positions, overall poverty situation leading to crime and rebellion, political patronage of undesirable elements, delays in the administration of justice have also led to a breakdown in law and order. The absence of an independent and effective Police Commission, Judicial Service Commission and Public Service Commission, rampant corruption of many police officers and the non-enforcement of existing laws are amongst other factors that reduce business confidence. In this environment, business and commercial decision making and assuring the safety of assets and personnel of the private sector are key concerns of the Chamber of Commerce.

Good governance

They should be allowed to act independently as professionals and should be held accountable for their actions. They should also be properly empowered.

The lack of a consistent and effective investor friendly macro policy framework is also affecting economic progress. The interest rates, the exchange rates as well as inflationary trends are areas of interest of foreign investors. They keep a close eye on these before making decisions on investment. 

This is where budgetary discipline is vital. This has been constantly weakening due to the prolonged war, on one hand, and lack of good governance on the other. 

The National Development Plan agreed by network partners in development must be implemented with commitment and accountability and effectively monitored.

Another vital area is the development of human resources. Looking at what is happening in neighbouring India, one can see how way behind Sri Lanka is, in the sphere of education and skills development. Today the whole world is looking towards India to provide personnel for their IT work, India has the capability of raising one billion dollars purely by providing 50 million English educated and IT literate persons in the field of service. Sri Lanka has failed to change with the times. University education remains the same old type of teaching. If things are to change, the establishment of private universities must be encouraged. That will prevent vast resources being drained out in parents getting their children educated in foreign universities. The less affluent students can also benefit through scholarships and other funding arrangements.

A productive work environment with market friendly employment regulations is needed to attract foreign investors. Archaic labour laws in operation today are not investor friendly. These have to be changed if an environment conducive to creating more job opportunities is to be encouraged. Investment is needed to promote savings. Right now there is a big gap between investment and savings. This has to be corrected by attracting new foreign investments.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce accepts that the north-east war is playing a crucial role in the economy. An early solution has to be found and everyone's co-operation is vital to achieve this. The conflict in the North and East has now begun to destroy the long-term economic and social fabric of the country and will soon be a fast spreading cancer that will engulf the whole nation. This is the number one priority that must receive the commitment of all leaders of civil society.

Urgent need for strong government

It is confident that this can be achieved if the elected representatives forget about party politics and get together for a period of at least three years to implement an agreed common programme leading to a settlement of the conflict, providing a stable political regime, assuring effective law, order and security, stable investor-friendly macro-economic policies and employment regulations and education policies aligned to meet the needs of the market.

"It is the need of the hour to discharge your obligations towards the present and future generations of Sri Lankan citizens," the appeal said.

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