ADVERTORIAL

ComBank expands money transfer services

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has expanded its Instant Money Transfer Service in Saudi Arabia for the benefit of thousands of Sri Lankans working in the Kingdom.

The Bank will also deploy banking officers in Saudi Arabia to assist its growing Sri Lankan customer base in the country with their diverse financial needs.

The money transfer service can be obtained via the Bank's representatives in Saudi Arabia, the Al Rajhi Bank, Arab National Bank, National Commercial Bank and Al Bilad Bank. In addition to sending money to Sri Lanka, customers can also open local and foreign currency accounts and enjoy a host of other services offered by the bank.

Commercial Bank's Operations Deputy General Manager Sanath Bandaranayake said; 'Our money transfer service became very popular among Sri Lankans employed in foreign countries as soon as it was introduced a few years ago. The positive response we received from our service expansion in the Middle East led us to widen access to the service in Saudi Arabia as well.' 'This will enhance our support to workers in Saudi Arabia who remit substantial revenue to our country,' he said.

Commercial Bank's money transfer service, known as 'e-Exchange' locally and in most of the Middle Eastern countries, is a sophisticated yet low cost real time on-line money transfer facility which is available to remitters through a network of agents in over 50 countries.

Those receiving money through this facility can collect the proceeds from any of Commercial Bank's 185 branches and 385 ATMs. More than 40 of these branches are open on public and mercantile holidays. This facility allows users to transfer money to a person, to a Commercial Bank account and any other bank account.

Hameedia takes 'Bespoke Tailoring' to Europe

Hameedia reached yet another milestone in Sri Lanka's clothing industry by introducing bespoke tailoring solutions via the worldwide web.

Sri Lanka's first-ever web portal which offers made-to-measure clothing www.envoybespoke.co.uk - was launched by British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Dr Peter Hayes.

'Bespoke' is a term dating from the 17th century, when tailors held the full lengths of cloth in their premises.

When a customer chose a length of material, it was said to have "been spoken for".

Hence, a tailor who makes one's clothes individually, to one's specific personal requirements, is called "bespoke".

Bespoke is thus different from "made-to-measure", which simply uses a basic, pre-existing template pattern, which is then adjusted to roughly one's individual measurements. The distinguishing points of bespoke tailoring are the buyer's total control over the fabric used, the features and fit, and the way the garment should be made. More generally, bespoke describes a high degree of customisation, and involvement of the end-user. Commenting on "Bespoke Tailoring", Dr. Hayes said a Bespoke suit gave a sense of perfect fit, self assurance and a subtle intangible feeling of ease. "Since Bespoke is not to fit the body, but rather to fit the person, clothes can be thus made to totally cater to the wearer and suit his individuality to perfection". Hameedia Managing Director Fouzul Hameed said Hameedia was proud to take bespoke tailoring solutions beyond geographical boundaries and to the world at large.

This service is mainly aimed at the European market segment and currently delivers shirts in two categories - the Luxury category and the Premium category.

All fabrics and accessories used are from world class suppliers such as the Albini Group, Tessitura Monti and Thomas Mason.

Hameed said one needs log onto www.envoybespoke.co.uk and enter the measurements required.

One can also choose the fabric, the cut and style, the type of buttons. Once the order is processed it will be delivered to any part of the world within three weeks.

LOWE LDB, Unilever win at Sumathi Awards 2010

A great Client -Agency partnership is the secret of big wins. Whether its marketshare or Awards. And a few weeks ago the Sunlight 125 year Anniversary TV filmlet was highly awarded, making it a celebratory night for Lowe LDB and Unilever.

Unilever Sri Lanka Chairman Amal Cabraal and Lowe LDB CEO Lilamani Dias Benson, with Unilever Marketing Director Asanga Ranasinghe, Lowe LDB COO Chalaka Gajabahu and several other senior members of the Sunlight team from the Client side and the Agency side received the awards. Sunlight has, over the years, epitomized the optimism that unites people of all races and walks of life. The winning Sunlight 125 Year TVC celebrates the brand's rich heritage of 125 years and was, appropriately, launched at the brink of cessation of hostilities in the country, symbolizing a bright new future of hope and prosperity brought about by togetherness.

Lowe LDB's win comes hard on the heels of the Agency's success at the Pop Awards and Effies Awards, At the Pop Awards, the Agency's Lifebuoy Germfighter was voted TV commercial of the Year with two more Lowe LDB Ads for Sunlight 125 years and Surf Excel Traffic Lights shortlisted.

At the Effies Awards, Lowe LDB secured a 100 percent win record. Lowe LDB has been at the helm of building brands for the past 17 years since inception and has, today, nurtured over fifty brands, of which 21 are market leaders and 12 are also Superbrands. Lowe LDB is also the Agency with the largest portfolio of Unilever brands in Sri Lanka. Renowned for its strategic thinking and creative power that attained market dominance for its clients, Lowe LDB has a multi talented team who add full strength of 'through the line' marketing communications to enhance traditional brand building advertising.

Rajabojun starts home delivery

Rajabojun has now started a home delivery service.

Rajabojun will also to participate at the Annual Spice Food Festival organized by the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority with all other five star hotels. "We are proud to say that we are the only Sri Lankan Restaurant that gets this rare opportunity amongst all other restaurants," a spokesman said."

The truth behind the success of this restaurant is that it caters to all communities from all corners of the island as well as those who are in search of Sri Lankan authentic cuisine from all over the globe," he said.