Business
Vietnamese Central Bank Governor compliments SL on economic improvements
Governor of the Central Bank of Vietnam, the latter also known as the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Mdm. Nguyen Thi Hong, expressed optimism and voiced encouraging sentiments on the improvement of the economy of Sri Lanka, during the last 12 months, when the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, Prof A. Saj U. Mendis, met her at the head office of the SBV.
Both the Governor and envoy discussed in detail micro and macro-economic issues and policies as well as monetary and fiscal policies implemented and executed by Vietnam, resulting in Vietnam attaining unprecedented economic growth during the last couple of decades.
A press release issued by the Sri Lankan embassy in Vietnam said: ‘Governor Hong, was one of the three Governors of Central Banks who were chosen by the prestigious “Global Financial Magazine” as the most effectual and competent Central Bankers in the world.
Ambassador Mendis complimented, both during the meeting as well as in writing, on this achievement, which reflected and manifested the efficacious and result-oriented policies executed by the Central Bank i.e. SBV. On the same note, Governor Hong conveyed the best wishes to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, who was also selected by Global Financial Magazine as one of the best and competent Central Bankers in the world.
‘Governor Hong noted that Sri Lanka succeeded in reducing inflation from 65% to 5% within a space of 12 months as well as marked reduction of interest rates, increase of official foreign reserves and stabilizing of national currency of Sri Lanka.
Mendis stated that Vietnam, today, has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, thus being noted by major advanced economies and large multinational corporates world over.
‘Mendis added that a Central Bank of any nation, be developed or developing, plays an influential and seminal role in navigating and steering the economy.
That said, Vietnam which had a GDP per capita of only USD 90 in 1990s, today has risen to USD 4,450 as well as bilateral trade exceeding USD 730 billion, including exports of over USD 370 billion in 2022. Vietnam maintains economic and political stability with highly impressive economic indicators, such as inflation, interest rates and unemployment, among others.
‘Prof Mendis also stated that the SBV was pivotal and decisive in creating a milieu for foreign investors, corporates and FDI to flow into the country, since Vietnam received FDI in excess of USD 20 billion in 2022 and envisaging FDI of around USD 30 billion in 2023.
Some of the largest corporates, which are household names, have committed significant investments and FDIs in Vietnam amounting to a total FDI stock of USD 450 billion.
‘Both, the Governor and envoy, agreed that one of the determining and deciding factors of this iconic feat of the economic augmentation of Vietnam was the FTAs and Partnership Agreements it has with a number of key and select countries, numbering 17.
Envoy Mendis also stated that Sri Lanka too has FTAs with major countries in South Asia as well as in the process of concluding a number of FTAs with select countries in order to increase exports and woo FDIs and foreign institutional investments, among others.
Both the Governor and Envoy discussed policies and measures which have led to economic advancement and augmentation of countries, including Vietnam, among others.’
Oil prices hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May as the escalating conflict in the Middle East reignited fears over global energy supplies.
Brent crude – the global benchmark for oil prices – rose more than 6% on Thursday following several days of increases as the US stepped up military strikes against Iran.
Prices spiked after Houthi militia in Yemen attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a key export route that Saudi Arabia has used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Gas prices have also risen steadily over the past month, with the benchmark UK gas price currently at around 150 per therm, up from around 98p at the end of June.
Oil prices had been falling following a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran.
They dropped back to levels last seen before the US and Israel began military action against Iran on 28 February.
However, the ceasefire has failed and this week US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the people in charge in Iran were “not ready to make a deal”.
The ongoing conflict risks pushing up inflation for many countries, including UK and the US leading to higher prices for consumers.
Higher oil prices typically lead to petrol and diesel becoming more expensive.
While drivers are affected directly, households could also see prices of other goods, such as food, increase due to businesses passing on higher transportation costs to customers.
Inflation has fallen both in the UK – down to 2.6% in the year to June helped by slowing diesel and petrol prices – and in the US to 3.5%.
But questions remain whether the slow down will prove short lived due to the renewed conflict in the Middle East.
New data released on Thursday showed that UK petrol prices have risen by 5p a litre since the beginning of July, hitting reaching almost £1.56.
Diesel is at £1.72 a litre, on average, according to the RAC.
Average gasoline prices in the US have surpassed $4 a gallon once more, up from $3.92 a month ago, according to motorist advocacy group AAA.
“More expensive fuel and energy can ripple through the wider economy, increasing costs for businesses and ultimately feeding through into the price of food and other goods,” said Jonathan Raymond, investment manager at Quilter Cheviot.
“This creates another headache for central banks as they continue their battle against inflation.
“If energy prices remain elevated, policymakers may come under pressure to keep interest rates higher for longer or even raise them. This would come as a blow to mortgage holders and borrowers already feeling the strain.”
The Bank of England, which sets UK interest rates, has held them at 3.75% in its last four meetings.
Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said he believed the Bank will “almost certainly” hold them again. But he said analysts still expected that interest rates could be cut next year if energy price rises ease.
Kevin Warsh, the newly-appointed chair of the US Federal Reserve, last week told Congress that the central bank had “no tolerance to persistently elevated inflation”.
US President Donald Trump had pushed Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, to cut interest rates.
Trump has made it clear he expects Warsh to fulfil his demand for reductions in borrowing costs for Americans.
But the Fed held US interest rates between 3.5% and 3.75% at Warsh’s first meeting last month. He also told Congress that he was committed to “restoring price stability” in the wake of the Middle East conflict impacting prices.
[BBC]
Business
SEC, CSE and CA Sri Lanka sign MOU to advance XBRL-based digital reporting for listed companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the implementation of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) based reporting for companies listed on the CSE.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise corporate reporting and strengthen the digital infrastructure of the capital market. The initiative aims to streamline the submission of both financial and non-financial information by listed entities, enhancing transparency, accessibility and investor confidence.
The MoU formalises the partnership, following the establishment of a joint SEC-CSE committee tasked with driving the initiative. With the in-principle approval of the SEC, the committee has been working closely with CA Sri Lanka to develop the framework required for the successful rollout.
XBRL is the internationally recognised standard for digital business reporting, developed and maintained by XBRL International, a global non-profit consortium. The standard enables financial and business information to be reported in a structured, machine-readable format, facilitating more efficient analysis, comparison and interpretation of corporate disclosures by regulators, investors, analysts and other stakeholders.
The introduction of XBRL reporting is expected to deliver several key benefits for both listed companies and users of financial information. These include reducing reliance on manual data processing, improving the accuracy and consistency of reported information, supporting more advanced data analysis, and lowering long-term reporting costs. The flexibility of the XBRL framework also allows organisations to tailor taxonomies to meet specific reporting requirements. In addition, XBRL adoption will enhance market transparency and efficiency by enabling quicker access to comparable corporate information. It will also align Sri Lanka’s reporting framework with global standards, making the country’s capital market more accessible and attractive to international investors familiar with XBRL-based financial reporting.
Business
LOLC Insurance and Seylan Bank celebrate Bancassurance Excellence through “League of Greatness” 2025
LOLC Insurance recently hosted the “LOLC Insurance – Seylan Bancassurance Felicitation Night 2025” under the theme “League of Greatness,” celebrating the success of its longstanding bancassurance partnership with Seylan Bank. The event marked another milestone in a strategic collaboration that has continued to grow since 2013.
The felicitation ceremony brought together senior management, sales leadership, branch representatives, and top-performing teams from both organisations to recognise excellence, appreciate contributions, and reaffirm the enduring partnership between LOLC Insurance and Seylan Bank. The collaboration currently spans 104 Seylan Bank branches across Sri Lanka, delivering accessible life and general insurance solutions islandwide.
Speaking at the event, Ramesh Jayasekara, Director/Chief Executive Officer, Seylan Bank PLC, stated, “Our partnership with LOLC Insurance continues to create meaningful value for customers while further strengthening the bancassurance proposition within the banking sector. The dedication and collaborative spirit demonstrated by both teams have been instrumental in achieving these milestones and sustaining the growth of this partnership. We look forward to enhancing our collaboration and delivering greater value to customers in the years ahead.”
Sharing insights during the event, Eugene Seneviratne, Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking, Seylan Bank, added, “The professionalism and operational efficiency demonstrated by the bancassurance teams have been instrumental in consolidating this partnership. Our branch teams continue to seamlessly manage day-to-day bancassurance functions with minimal operational escalations, reflecting the strength of a well-structured and highly efficient framework. This has contributed to a smooth and mutually beneficial working relationship, enabling the partnership to enhance coordination, execution, and overall performance.”
Addressing the gathering, Kithsiri Gunawardena, Chairman/Principal Officer of LOLC General Insurance and Director of LOLC Life Assurance, stated, “Successful partnerships are built on trust, shared values, and a common vision. The strength and longevity of this collaboration reflect the commitment of both organisations to delivering meaningful impact to customers while advancing the country’s bancassurance sector. The positive feedback and appreciation consistently received from Seylan Bank regarding the quality of service delivered and the steadfast support extended by the teams stand as a testament to the professionalism and service excellence upheld throughout the partnership.”
Sheikh Hasina ally resigns as Bangladesh’s president
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