Milcris in strategic alliance :

Sri Lankan consultant makes headway in Oman

Charumini DE SILVA

Milcris (Pvt) Ltd., and Seven Seas LLC signed a strategic alliance agreement for their joint venture in cost consultancy, quantity surveying and project management service. Milcris (Pvt) Ltd., is owned by Millan de Siva, a Sri Lankan investor in the Middle East.

Milcris (Pvt) Ltd., (Oman) CEO, Millan de Silva told Daily News Business that Milcris is a chartered quantity surveying company which has been guided by a singular vision addressing important issues of contract and cost management and the increasing need for value that all customers face in today’s rapidly transforming construction industry. We have an annual turnover of over US$ 500 million and send Rs.200 million as foreign exchange to Sri Lanka.

There are tremendous opportunities for Sri Lankans in Oman. We should have trade relations between Sri Lanka and Oman, which will benefit both countries. Though there was a huge impact on the construction industry, due to the global recession we were able to control it.

Most of the other companies that were set up in other Middle East countries also ventured into Oman during the global meltdown because the Government of Oman had a firm control of the financial sector in the country, he said.

De Sliva said Sri Lankan universities have to improve the quantity survey education offered to the students and it is important to make the public aware of quantity surveying. Although Sri Lanka needs to diversify into different areas in quantity surveying it has still not been done properly. Therefore, it is necessary to work as a unit so that we could attract more foreign exchange to the country.

Europeans head most of the companies in the Middle East and we are the only company that has set up a business in Oman, which is fully owned by Sri Lankans. The majority of the employees are Sri Lankans, but there are British, Australian and Greek employees who work in our company. We want to build the confidence of our employees professionally, socially and financially, he said.

He said Sri Lankans are no second to anyone in the world. Sri Lankans are capable of achieving the goals competing with global giants. When foreign employees did most of the drawings and sketches they purposely give the drawings at the last minute to put a firm deadline for Sri Lankans. However, Sri Lankans are dedicated to their work and have always worked hard to meet the deadlines.

Milcris provides staff training and also provides them with scholarships to improve their skills in foreign countries.

We welcome Sri Lankans to join hands with us to show the world our capabilities. Milcris hopes to enter markets in the Gulf countries and India, which has a very high potential, de Silva said.