Abans' E-Commerce website to facilitate overseas Lankans

Anjana Samarasinghe

Abans expanded their operations to overseas markets through their newly launched E- Commerce website to facilitate Sri Lankans overseas and non-residents.

Director of Abans Group of Companies Saroshi Dubash said that the local electric household appliances market showed a 10 percent to 15 percent growth.

But services such as leasing and easy payment schemes were able to minimize this impact.

"We have noticed many Sri Lankan residents and non-residents overseas face difficulties when sending goods or gifts for their loved ones in Sri Lanka, she said.

Their newly launched www.buyabans.com will enable overseas customers to purchase goods online for their loved ones in Sri Lanka. Abans will make necessary arrangements to deliver the purchased items to the correct recipient in Sri Lanka.

Head of Business Development, Freight and Logistics of Abans, Channaka de Alwis said customers could pay with their credit cards in a secure payment gateway without paying customer charges, shipping charges, and handling charges and attending to unnecessary documents. The company is targeting non-residents, professionals, migrant workers, entrepreneurs and students through this service.

"We expect to appoint special agents in US, Australia, Italy and Middle East countries to educate migrant workers in these countries and coordinate their transactions. However it will take more time to develop business in the Middle East market since the credit card usage of these migrant workers is comparably low, he said.

Management Trainee Abans, Nuwan Wickramapathirane said that they will promote this service through different Sri Lankan associations, clubs and professional bodies in overseas.