Industry & Retail
From The Report: Sri Lanka 2018
View in Online Reader

Industry in Sri Lanka has developed over the years by taking the high road. In part driven by necessity, the country has tended to avoid low-margin, high-volume production in favour of value addition and customisation. The result has been solid demand for its goods and a strong international reputation. Meanwhile, investment in infrastructure has improved the operating environment, reforms are ongoing and efforts are being made to foster innovation and promote exports. Shopping is becoming increasingly convenient as modern outlets become more numerous, new malls are being built and an increasing number of global brands are arriving in the country. Most of all, local consumers are becoming more sophisticated and demanding better products as the middle class grows. This chapter contains an interview with Nandana Ekanayake, CEO, Siam City Cement (Lanka).

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Strategies being adapted in order to maintain competitiveness: Transformation period
OBG
plus

Industry in Sri Lanka has developed over the years by taking the high road. In part driven by necessity, the country has tended to avoid low-margin, high-volume production in favour of value addition and customisation. The result has been solid demand for its goods and a strong international reputation. Meanwhile, investment in infrastructure has improved the operating environment, reforms are ongoing and efforts are being made to foster innovation and promote exports (see analysis). However,…

Interview

Nandana Ekanayake, CEO, Siam City Cement (Lanka), on the: role the sector plays in advancing economic growth Skyline vision
OBG
plus

Nandana Ekanayake : Interview How do you see domestic demand for cement evolving in the next 24 months? NANDANA EKANAYAKE: The building industry is experiencing moderate growth in what we call the “bag and bulk segments” – in other words, retail and business-to-business (B2B) sales. The growth in the retail sector is triggered primarily by agricultural income and the housing loans homebuilders can obtain from banks. The lifestyle of Sri Lankans is also changing: people have become more ambitious…

Analysis

Government targets new markets and supports small businesses: to boost export economy New horizons
OBG
plus

Sri Lanka’s export economy has been facing challenges in recent years from intense international competition and lack of investment, especially foreign direct investment. As a result, the government is stepping up its commitment to support exports, especially from industrial small and medium-sized enterprises. A number of programmes have been initiated, while the country is more broadly rethinking its role within global supply chains. Sri Lanka wants to change the way it engages with the…

Analysis

Expansion of economic zones to attract international investment: Park life
OBG
plus

Sri Lanka has a long history of developing economic zones, including export processing zones (EPZs), industrial parks (IPs), industrial estates, and special economic zones (SEZs). These areas are considered vital for attracting investment and building industry. Sri Lanka currently has 10 EPZs and two IPs throughout the country. They offer a number of advantages. Tax exemptions are provided under the Inland Revenue Law, the Port & Airport Development Levy Act, the Value Added Tax Act and…

Overview

Long-term sector forecasts are strong, with a number of new: projects in the pipeline The rise of retail
OBG
plus

The retail sector in Sri Lanka is set for rapid development. Shopping is becoming increasingly convenient as modern outlets become more numerous, new malls are being built and an increasing number of global brands are arriving in the country. Meanwhile, the growing tourism industry is bringing not only money but also the culture of shopping. Most of all, local consumers are becoming more sophisticated and demanding better products as the middle class grows. “There is now an aspiration…