Analysis

Social trends for APAC brands to keep pace with in 2023

AI, business messaging, cross-border shopping, virtual and augmented reality, creators, online shopping, and short-form video. Meta’s APAC VP looks at what should brands focus on this year. I usually start the year by sharing what I know with businesses about the social media trends intersecting with business across our platforms. Social networks, creators/influencers, friends, and…

(0)Comments | February 14, 2023 2:34 pm

China’s three Rabbits – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

As per the Chinese calendar 2023 is the year of the rabbit and rabbits were shown all over the world. However, the image of three-rabbits that can be found in China & in some other countries are considered as symbols of cultural exchanges between Great China & other civilizations during the prime of the ancient…

(0)Comments | February 13, 2023 11:21 am

Beijing balloon: Sri Lankan lessons for Secretary Blinken – By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Mercia Rubber Products, Colombo 02 was founded by the late Sam Wijesekera in 1910. During the British Raj on one occasion the Galle Face hotel had not allowed the late Muhammad Macan-Markar of Galle to enter the hotel as he was clad in a sarong. That day Mr. Macan-Markar had decided to build a building…

(0)Comments | February 6, 2023 1:46 pm

SL records highest ever export earnings in 2022

Highlights Earnings from exports remained resilient during 2022 recording the highest ever exports, while expenditure on imports declined significantly in 2022, compared to 2021. Merchandise trade deficit recorded the lowest in 2022, since 2010. Foreign investments in the government securities market and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a notable net inflow during 2022 compared to…

(0)Comments | February 1, 2023 2:05 pm

Business Sentiment – Status Quo Welcomes the New Year

The mercury refuses to budge in the midst of a growing number of economic sensitivities In its mid-January Global Economic Prospects publication, the World Bank revised its forecast for Sri Lanka’s economic contraction in 2022 to 9.2 percent and projected that the nation will face another year of negative growth estimated at 4.2 percent in…

(0)Comments | February 1, 2023 8:27 am

E-commerce: An Islandwide Phenomenon and a Youth-oriented Futuristic Industry of Sri Lanka – Report

Daraz Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) released the first in-depth study on the adoption and use of e-commerce in Sri Lanka during difficult economic times at a roundtable discussion held in Colombo on Monday 30th January 2023. The report titled “E-commerce: A Driver of Inclusive Growth in Sri Lanka?”…

(0)Comments | January 31, 2023 1:22 pm

The Chinese Debt Traps – A movie for election season! By Prof Samitha Hettige

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited African countries in January aiming to promote economic ties & partnerships between the USA & Africa. In Zambia she called on China to address Zambia’s heavy debt burden while ensuring US commitment to help Africa face China-driven “debt-traps”. She seems to have purposely ignored the win-win south-south cooperation which ensures sustainable…

(0)Comments | January 31, 2023 11:30 am

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce launches Outlook 2023 Report

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) recently launched the 8th edition of its flagship annual Outlook Report for 2023 at the Economic Outlook 2023 seminar. The Report was launched in the presence of Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka who delivered the keynote address. Compiled by the Economic Intelligence Unit…

(0)Comments | January 31, 2023 11:21 am

Sri Lanka continues as the world’s largest Orthodox Black Tea Producer but 2022 is a disastrous year

Sri Lanka Tea Production slumped to a 26 Year Low of 251.4 Mnkg. Back in 1995 the country harvested 246 Mnkg from a much smaller production base. This was the highest on record at the time and tea production continued to grow steadily thereafter, with a peak of 340 Mnkg recorded in 2013. An analysis…

(0)Comments | January 26, 2023 11:00 am

Chinese Spring festival will energize SL tourist trade – by Prof. Samitha Hettige

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (99 years) was a key figure building bilateral bonds between USA & China during Nixon administration in the early 1970s. That was a win-win as US gained access to China’s mega markets & China got the opportunity to expand its international presence. Addressing the annual New Year gala…

(0)Comments | January 23, 2023 10:35 am