Business

Government awards Nestlé on World Coconut Day

Published

3 years ago

2020/09/12

From left: Fabrice Cavallin, Managing Director – Nestlé Lanka PLC receives the award from Arundika Fernando, State Minister – Ministry of Plantations; Dr. Ramesh Pathirana – Minister of Plantations; and Jayantha Wickramasinghe – chairman of the Coconut Development Authority, the Coconut Cultivation Board and the Coconut Research Institute.

The Sri Lankan coconut authorities awarded Nestlé at an official event on World Coconut Day, in recognition of its high foreign exchange contribution as one of the world’s largest exporters of coconut milk powder, and the strategic planning support extended to the government to help promote the Sri Lankan coconut industry.

Nestlé also supports more than 9,000 local coconut farming families through its business. The award was jointly conferred on the company by Arundhika Fernando, the State Minister of the Ministry of Plantations, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, the Minister of Plantations, and Jayantha Wickramasinghe, chairman of The Coconut Development Authority, The Coconut Cultivation Board, and The Coconut Research Institute.

“We’re proud to be consistently recognised for the positive impact we make for everyone across our business. As a Good food, Good life company, we want our products to not just be good for our consumers but also good for our community. With almost 800 employees, we have been locally manufacturing over 90% of our products since 1984, at our state-of-the art multi-production factory in Kurunegala. This, together with our strong exports business, has enabled us to contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s economy. We remain committed to continuing to do good in Sri Lanka, as we have for the last 114 years” said Fabrice Cavallin, Nestlé’s Managing Director, who accepted the award.

Nestlé has been procuring Sri Lankan coconut for its much-loved Maggi Coconut Milk Powder for almost 35 years. Today, its superior quality and taste has not only made it the number one coconut milk powder in Sri Lanka , but also one of the world’s largest coconut milk powder exports, available in over 50 countries. In 2019, Nestlé paid Rs. 2.6 billion for coconut purchases, contributing to the livelihoods of more than 6,000 farmers.

The company is also collaborating with the Coconut Cultivation Board for the Nestlé Coconut Plan, where it is helping another 3,000 farmers and outgrowers grow coconut in their farms, home gardens and in non-traditional areas outside of the coconut triangle. The aim is to help increase the availability of coconut for in-home consumption, as supply is vulnerable to drought and crop disease.

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Business

Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+

Published

16 hours ago

2023/06/5

Priyan

(picture BBC)

Oil-producing countries have agreed to continued cuts in production in a bid to shore up flagging prices.

Saudi Arabia said it would make cuts of a million barrels per day (bpd) in July and Opec+ said targets would drop by a further 1.4 million bpd from 2024.

Opec+ accounts for around 40% of the world’s crude oil and its decisions can have a major impact on oil prices.

In Asia trade on Monday, Brent crude oil rose by as much as 2.4% before settling at around $77 a barrel.

The seven hour-long meeting on Sunday of the oil-rich nations, led by Russia, came against a backdrop of falling energy prices.

Total production cuts, which Opec+ has undertaken since October 2022, reached 3.66 million bpd, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Opec+, a formulation which refers to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, had already agreed to cut production by two million bpd, about 2% of global demand.

(BBC)

Business

Manpower services agency wins accolades for its contribution to foreign employment sector

Published

20 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services receives the award

Its MD says. ‘go abroad only if you can work hard’

Siraj Manpower Services, one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign employment agencies, was honoured with the Three-Star Award at the ‘Golden Awards’ 2023, organised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). This award ceremony was organised to honour foreign employment agencies that have made a significant contribution to the development of the foreign employment sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services, was presented with the award at the award ceremony which was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour Manusha Nanayakkara.

Having been established in 2002, Siraj Manpower Services (www.sirajmanpower.lk) has earned a reputation in the field of foreign employment by winning the trust of customers for more than 20 years. It has been offering job opportunities in the Middle East countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia as housekeepers, drivers, sanitation workers, labourers and also jobs related to the apparel industry. All these workers are entitled to approved salary scales certified by the SLBFE.

“We always stand for the safety of workers who go abroad through our organisation. We work to solve the problems that arise in relation to the contracts that the workers have entered into. I must mention something special to those who go abroad for employment. That is, you should keep in mind that you go abroad only to work. Go abroad only if you can work hard. You have to remember that you are going abroad to earn some more money and achieve the advancement of your family.” said Siraj Cafoor.

Business

Direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake to commence from August

Published

20 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

A special discussion between Turkish Ambassador – Demet Sekercioglu and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Nimal Siripala de Silva took place last week at the ministry office. The aim of the discussion was to seek authorization to commence direct flights from the Turkish Capital Istanbul to Katunayake, Sri Lanka. The Chief of Turkish Airlines’ South Asia Office Fathi Bozkurt was also present during the discussion.

Currently, Turkish Airlines connects with Sri Lanka through a route that includes a stopover in the Maldives, resulting in an additional travel time of one and a half hours. The delay caused by this routing is not favored by travelers, as emphasized by the Ambassador.

The Chief of Turkish Airlines requested for time and space to be allocated in order to initiate direct flights between Istanbul and Katunaike, thus providing convenience for Turkish tourists and travelers who prefer visit Sri Lanka.

The Minister announced that the request would be forwarded to the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. The aim is to establish direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake starting from August this year.

Turkish Airlines, a renowned airline with a fleet of over 100 aircraft, offers flights connecting Europe’s Vancouver and New York. The Chief of Turkish Airlines said that the new service would not only benefit European travelers but also encourage them to travel to Sri Lanka.