The March LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI)remained in line with the previous month, shedding a single point (to 154) from where the unique barometer of corporate sentiment stood in the previous month, the latest edition of business magazine LMD reports. “Concerns about the economy and investment climate, as well as interest rates, mirror a slight dip in business confidence, with fiscal reforms set to lead to further discontent,” it explains.
ADB President Takehiko Nakao answers questions from the international media at the opening press conference of the 49th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors in Frankfurt, Germany.
NASSCOM President R. Chandrashekhar – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe
By D.C. Jayasundera
India’s top IT industry body that commands 55% of the total global outsourcing market has called on its Sri Lankan counterpart to visit and discuss the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) in an effort to build trust and find a mutually-beneficial way forward.
A signing ceremony was held 1st April on the Record of Discussion for Technical Cooperation Project titled “The Project on Electricity Sector Master Plan Study” at the JICA Sri Lanka Office. The Record of Discussion was signed by the Secretary of Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Dr. B.M.S Batagoda, Director General of Department of External Resources R.M.P. Rathnayake, the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the General Manager of Ceylon Electricity Board M C Wickramasekara, and the Chief Representative of the JICA Sri Lanka Office Kiyoshi Amada.
President Maithripala Sirisena says his government will give high priority to improve country’s vocational training sector to provide more opportunities for the country’s youth who are unable to receive higher education.
Speaking at the progress review meeting on National School of Business Management, which is under the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, at the President’s Office Wednesday, the President said the physical and human resources of the countrywide vocational training centers will be enhanced as the training at these institutions is weakened due to lack of resources.
By Charumini de Silva
Battered stockbrokers are urging the Government to consider reintroducing the Share Transaction Levy (STL) as a less damaging alternative to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which they warn will further hurt the Colombo Bourse.
“At this juncture where markets’ daily trading volumes are at record-low levels, bringing in a Capital Gains Tax would be counterproductive,” Colombo Stock Brokers Association President Ravi Abyesuriya told the Daily FT.
AFP (New York): The world’s most expensive train station opened Thursday (3) in New York, nearly $ 2 billion over budget and years behind schedule, but the European architect who designed it called it a gift of love to the city.
The World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which is expected eventually to serve more than 200,000 commuters daily, is built next to the site of the Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the terror attacks of 11 September 2001.
Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish-Swiss architect who unveiled his ambitious design 12 years ago, removed a barrier at the entrance of the Oculus, a giant oval hall with walls of steel ribs and glass.
As a dampened Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) eagerly anticipates its big take-off, its Chairman yesterday pledged 2016 would be the year of implementation while outlining its prospects to become a regional player following regulatory approval.
“We will be launching a dollar denominated board very soon especially targeting the Maldives as we have signed an MOU with them.
