Business
SampathCards launches new Sampath Visa Corporate Credit Card

Colombo, June 16, 2021: Sampath Bank recently announced the launch of its new Sampath Corporate Visa Credit Card in partnership with Visa, the leader in digital payments, to facilitate better financial management for corporates. The card, which is accepted worldwide, enables companies to seamlessly track and monitor expenses through the provision of real time data.
Enabling businesses to gain complete control over their corporate expenses, this card helps them minimize administrative costs and avoid the hassle of unnecessary paperwork. Along with this, Sampath Bank is also offering free e-statements and SMS Alert facilities for the card. Businesses can designate a central administrative email id and phone number to receive these updates and track every transaction made on their cards. They can also automate the settlement of their recurring payments such as monthly utility bill payments using the Sampath Automated Bill Settlement service, which is offered free.
The cards also come with tap to pay technology, allowing cardholders to make contactless payments in a safe and convenient manner by simply tapping the card on the POS machine.
Businesses can also avail themselves of a wide range of 0% interest instalment plans as well as a host of other benefits and privileges offered by SampathCards.
Speaking about the launch of this card, Darshin Pathinayake, Head of Card Centre, Sampath Bank PLC said, “We have always strived to be in the forefront of offering the latest technology products to the discerning Sri Lankan customer and this launch is yet another much needed, timely step in that direction. While strengthening our product portfolio, we are providing corporate customers with an effective and smarter financial management that will help the company during this global pandemic.”
“Over the past year, we have seen the increased need for businesses to digitize their finances and automate processes like supplier payments and reconciliation. To give them more control over their finances, we are delighted to extend our partnership with Sampath Bank to offer corporate credit cards to all eligible businesses. With these cards, they can make payments contactless, faster, safer and more efficient,” said Anthony Watson, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa.
Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including introducing ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours and slip-less banking to name a few. The Bank is steadily transforming itself into a ‘tech company engaged in banking,’ from the traditional approach of a bank engaged in technology.
Business
Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+

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

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
Ports Minister invites Singaporean investors to develop Colombo North Port

The Minister of Ports, Navigation and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva was on an observation tour on 3rd of June to witness the operations and development of Singapore’s main port. During the tour, he had a special discussion with the head of PSA International Private Company which carries out the operations and development of the Singapore port.
Won Chee Fung, CEO of the company’s Middle East and South Asia arm said if there are investment opportunities for development and operations in the ports of Sri Lanka, they would like to apply for them.
The Minister told him that since the government has planned to start the development of the North Colombo Port, a suitable investment plan and proposal could be made for it. He also requested the heads of PSA International Private Company to provide a suitable proposal for the development of Trincomalee Port.
PSA International is one of the few largest companies operating in ports in the world, and 37,000 million containers are handled per year in Singapore’s main port alone.Officials including Assistant Vice President of PSA Company Lim Wei Chang, Chairman of JCT Oil Bank Company, Lakmal Ratnayake and representatives of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Singapore also participated in this discussion.
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