Advertorial

First Sri Lankan IT company to seek a listing:

PCH IPO opens today

The IPO of the PC House Limited (PCH), as the first Sri Lankan IT Company to seek a listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange, opens today. Since the initial announcement of the planned IPO, the extremely positive response from the investing public so far indicates that the offer will close on the same day due to over-subscription.

PCH Chairman S H M Rishan emphasized the revolutionary nature of the current PCH IPO plans. "We have set in motion a change that will revolutionize the business landscape we operate in. Purchasing PCH shares will ensure that individuals are afforded a stake in the company's growth. With our proven track record and our current expansion and growth road map, PCH is on a surer footing than ever and are excited and enthusiastic about the outcome of the IPO", Rishan said.

By subscribing to this issue, the new investors in PCH are very likely to benefit enormously through attractive future dividends as well as from the expected rapid appreciation in value of the company which will be reflected in the ever-increasing price of its shares.

One of the key ingredients of its success has been PCH's reach throughout the country. It has 15 outlets in Colombo and another 13 fully-fledged branches that are spread throughout the Island.

Anyone, whether it be an individual, a SME, a large corporate body or a public sector institution, can have all of their IT needs fulfilled at any of PCH's locations. This is a huge advantage PCH has in the ICT space.

Another main reason for PCH's success over the years is that it has adapted to a rapidly changing environment extremely well. It is an accepted fact that only organizations that adapt constantly to change succeed, and this is especially true of the ICT industry which literally changes every day. In 2007, PCH acquired Greenwich Lanka (Private) Limited, and through this company provides solutions to the corporate sector.

Earlier this year, PCH ventured into the BPO space and it already is in operation employing around 175 persons. It is now set to embark on its brand new Internet Data Centre (IDC) business and plans are presently being finalized.

PCH Director Sarath Wikramanayake said "Our present status as one of the leading ICT Companies in Sri Lanka puts us in an ideal position to cater to each and every technological necessity of an organization or individual. By adding BPO, KPO and IDC facilities to our portfolio, we are ensuring that we move ahead to the next generation of service provision as well.

"With the economy growing post war, the demand for services relating to the IT field is growing exponentially. Through our expansion we believe we can play a major role in the country's development".

Arpico Supercentre debuts privilege card facility

Arpico Supercentre, debuted its instant Privilege card facility recently at its flagship store at Hyde Park Corner.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, card members can now apply for and receive their permanent loyalty card instantly, instead of having to use a temporary card.

The Privilege card loyalty scheme, introduced three years ago by Arpico Supercentre, has proven to be a success.

With over 170,000 card members, including 6,000 gold card members, the Privilege loyalty card gives Arpico Supercentre shoppers a range of exciting promotional offers, prizes and discounts.

Privilege card members can earn Privilege points on their shopping at the Arpico Supercentres, which in turn can be redeemed for free shopping. Members can also earn bonus points on certain promotional items, making their shopping experiences even more enriching.

Privilege card holders are eligible for regularly-occurring exclusive promotions that reward their loyalty by giving them the chance to win extravagant prizes.

The retailer is currently in the midst of its Arpico Supercentre Privilege Family Beach Holiday promotion, which will offer 50 families an all-expenses paid holiday to the luxurious Club Bentota resort. Each family, which can include up to two children, will be treated to two days at Club Bentota resort.

Intel, Education Ministry go rural with IT bus

Intel Corporation, Intel World Ahead Program, Sales and Marketing Group General Manager, Vice President John Davies, Kobian Technologies CEO Kishan Theodore, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana, Intel EM Limited, Country Business Manager, Indika De Zoysa and Education Ministry Education for Knowledge Society Project Additional Secretary Anura Dissanayake at the launch.

Intel with the Education Ministry unveiled a novel form of spreading IT throughout most parts of the country with the launch of the mobile bus at a ceremony held recently at the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, Battaramulla. The occasion was attended by high ranking officials from both the Ministry and Intel.

The objective of such a venture was to bring IT to all corners of the country with the rural community its primary target. Education Minister, Bandula Gunawardana with Additional Secretary and the Education for Knowledge Society Project of the Ministry of Education Director Anura Dissanayake, Intel Vice President John Davies and Intel EM Ltd Country Business Manager Indika de Zoysa were present as the mobile bus was officially launched.

The mobile bus has all the components that a computer lab would possess and owing to its mobility it would cover a wider audience and make IT a household name among many a rural community. Such measures were taken by Intel as the need for an IT savvy community is growing in demand as the quest for the next generation of innovators is gathering momentum.

The bus will function with all the facilities of a modern computer lab and will be travelling to most rural schools in the island educating each child in the field of IT and its finer points.

British High Commissioner visits GSK

The British High Commissioner, Dr. Peter Hayes, has described GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as a 'great example' of the values that the people of Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom hold in common.

On a visit to the offices and manufacturing facilities of GSK in Sri Lanka recently, Dr. Hayes said: "It's about fair play, being as good as your word, being honest and living up to your promises. That is at the heart, not just of business, but of all relationships."

"It's not about British companies coming here and selling to Sri Lanka. It is about setting up here for the long term, building and investing here in a relationship that draws on the skills and expertise of Sri Lankans and spotting the business opportunities here", he said.

From left: Dr. Peter Hayes, Nadeesha Epasinghe, Stuart Chapman and Sachi Thomas  at the GSK Head Office

Dr. Hayes, who was accompanied by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Deputy Head Nadeesha Epasinghe was the first British High Commissioner to visit GSK in Sri Lanka.

"Today, Sri Lanka stands on the threshold of new opportunities as the world economy starts to emerge from the economic crisis and there are huge opportunities for Sri Lanka and for all of us," Dr Hayes said. "My advice is that to face the challenge of competitors, we have to market ourselves on the basis of our values for the long term", he said.

GSK Pharmaceuticals, Sri Lanka Managing Director Stuart Chapman said that GSK, which set up one of the first pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka, has had a brand presence in the country for more than 50 years.

Its business comprises three pillars, namely, prescription medicines, consumer healthcare and manufacturing. He said that GSK is a leader in prescription medicines and vaccines and is considered a benchmark for ethical and professional business practices in Sri Lanka.

GSK Consumer Healthcare, Sri Lanka Managing Director Sachi Thomas said that GSK's consumer business in Sri Lanka had grown to more than 500 employees, 80 distributors, 110 suppliers and 120,000 outlets, and now manufactures 100 percent of the country's requirements of Panadol for children, Corsodyl, Cytexin, Piriton, Haliborange and Glucolin.

He also said that GSK is the only multinational pharmaceutical company to manufacture some of its products locally. He said that significant investments have been planned to expand capacity, upgrade facilities and enhance the scope of manufacturing in Sri Lanka.

Hutch lowers Middle East tariffs

Introduces low IDD rates to the Middle East:

As per the Foreign Employment Bureau's official statistics, 1.7 million Sri Lankans are employed abroad of which 95 percent of them are employed in the Middle East.

The current practice for many family members is to wait for their friends and relatives to get in touch with them but with the new tariffs introduced by Hutch, calling the Middle East begins from a very low amount.

Senior Manager Acquisition and International Business Saumithra Gupta said, "In continuation of our array of IDD products like IDD Unlimited, IDD Buffet and India Rs 2, we are now offering affordable call rates to the Middle East."

He says, "Now calls to Bahrain, Israel and Jordan on any fixed line will be very low.

If Hutch customers are calling the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Qatar and Yemen they will enjoy very low rates. In other words now we have empowered our customers to initiate IDD calling from Sri Lanka to close the gap between the seas."

These tariffs are activated as soon as a customer reloads Rs.100/- or more on their Hutch connection, he said. "There are no special cards or dial code activations needed to enjoy this tariff.

Most importantly we have laid emphasis on ensuring a high level of call quality and voice clarity, to be enjoyed by all Hutch customers at this affordable call rate," he said.

The company is also continuing its network expansions and is enduring to invest in customer touch points across the country with Hutch shops.

So far the company has opened nine such shops from a total of 20 targetted by year end.

People's Bank Quiz winners

Here, People’s Bank CEO/General Manager P.V.Pathirana presenting the General Manager’s Trophy to the winners of the inter branch quiz. From left - A.M.M.S.M.Ruwais, Ranjan Senanayake, Chandana Warnakulasooriya, Manjula Dissanayake and Dhammika Atapattu (Team Leader)

People's Bank Corporate Banking Division recently held it's Annual Inter Branch Quiz at Hotel Galadari in Colombo for the seventh consecutive year.

The quiz consisted of questions ranging from international trade, general banking, current affairs, entertainment to sport. The combined team of Marketing and IT Department emerged winners for the Third time beating 55 other teams from People's Bank branches/Departments islandwide.