ADVERTORIAL

Expolanka Freight receives CarbonNeutral

Expolanka Freight Ltd was recently awarded a CarbonNeutral Certification by the Carbon Consulting Company thus making it Sri Lanka’s first-ever CarbonNeutral freight and logistics company, and one of the first in Asia.

CEO Expolanka Freight Jagath Pathirane said, “We’re very proud to be a certified CarbonNeutral company and Sri Lanka’s first at that. We do feel a sense of deep pride and achievement as this re-affirms our position both as a trailblazer in the Sri Lankan transport sector and as a leading freight forwarding force in Asia”.

“Social responsibility does take top billing in our operations as we contribute to reducing global warming and taking a lead in living and doing business by example and concern for environment. As we also focus on sustainability, Expo Lanka Freight will look at the recommendations that suggest mitigation and monitoring strategies be enacted in the future to reduce the organizational footprint”, he affirmed.

Following the footprint calculation, Expolanka Freight Ltd has neutralized its carbon footprint of for the year 2011, by purchasing the necessary carbon offsets to make the carbon footprint of its operations zero.

Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications and CSR for Expolanka Holdings PLC Paddy Weerasekera said that this initiative is yet another step in an environmentally sustainable business strategy and a long term commitment to reduce the Expo Group’s environmental impact. “It is also all about Expolanka becoming a more responsible corporate citizen, while ensuring that we reap the benefits of being a sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly business entity”, Weerasekera affirmed.

All the offsets, that were sourced and retired were selected, contracted, transacted, verified and retired in accordance with the requirements laid out in the Carbon Neutral Protocol, which is a publicly accessible proprietary standard. The protocol also lays out the requirements for businesses achieving CarbonNeutral status and therefore permits use of The CarbonNeutral Certification as evidence of their action on climate change. Expolanka Freight is one of the largest freight forwarders in Sri Lanka and has established itself as a premier provider of services for the fashion industry. Expolanka has a total of 13 own operations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and represents multiple agents in the Indian sub-continent.

The current infrastructure supports multi-mode transportation and logistics with Ocean and Air transportation as the core areas with inland trucking haulage, warehousing, customs brokerage -clearance and wharf handling, and project cargo.

CarbonNeutral certification is a globally recognized statement about a business’s action to reduce carbon emissions to net zero. The CarbonNeutral Company currently works in 32 countries partnering some of the largest multinational companies like Avis, BBC Worldwide, Tata Steel and The Westine and many others.

As the official reseller and certifier for the CarbonNeutral Company in South Asia, the Carbon Consulting Company follows strict international guidelines and standards in foot printing and verifying in order to guarantee the integrity and quality of carbon neutral programmes. In doing so Carbon Neutral certification is fully compliant with other third party standards set by the UK government, the British Standards Institution and other international bodies.

Union Bank launches Union Factors especially for SMEs

Delivering on its value proposition in delivering innovative banking solutions and in keeping with the Bank’s premise for superior customer service, Union Bank of Colombo PLC (UBC) launched “Union Factors”, yet another value added service to enhance the product offering to the Small and Medium Enterprises, enabling even greater convenience and efficiency to conduct business operations.

The Factoring Service of Union Bank, offers a speedy and efficient service to customers and provides cash upfront up to 85% of the invoice value for credit sales, as well as manage the customers receivables, enabling customers to focus on their business operations and take advantage of market opportunities, rather than spend time managing debtors, said Dulina Seneviratne, Manager, Factoring at Union Bank of Colombo PLC.

Business entities require cash to finance the working capital requirements as the business grows. By taking advantage of the benefits of Union factors, customers can conduct efficient debt collection, pay off loans and other debts, carry out professional sales ledger management, meet seasonal demands, purchase inventory and fill orders faster.

As a preferred Bank for Small and Medium Enterprise and Retail Sectors, Union Bank continues to develop and innovate its service offerings to the segment. Adding value to the bank’s pledge to offer superior customer service, the bank also offers the SME sector Free Advisory Services for entrepreneur development and business managements and also includes areas such as Finance, Planning, HR, Information Technology and Marketing. This training focuses on enhancing knowledge and skill level of the SMEs on business conduct, handling challenges in a competitive environment and change management.

Union Bank’s focus on the SME sector provides the Bank an edge in a competitive market as a Bank small enough to be flexible to the growing needs of the SME customer and large enough to fuel their success to greater heights. Union Factors is available at all 32 branches of Union Bank including 7 branches in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces and will also be available shortly to customers in Chilaw and Ambalangoda where Union Bank’s newest branches will open.

ComBank donates computer-based Language Lab to security forces, police

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has donated a computer-based language laboratory to the Joint Service Language Training Institute (JSLTI) of the Ministry of Defense, extending its community initiative on IT support to the armed forces and police.

The new language laboratory will focus primarily on providing Tamil language training. It will also provide English and French language training to personnel selected to join UN Peace Keeping Forces, and Hindi training to those who travel to India for military training. The Commercial Bank’s CSR Trust donated 10 computers, printers and other necessary equipment to the Institute for the establishment of this language laboratory.

The Joint Service Language Training Institute was established in 1986 to provide training to personnel of the armed forces and police to understand, speak, read and write the official languages. It was later expanded to offer training in foreign languages to personnel travelling overseas.

Commercial Bank has to date set up more than 40 fully-equipped computer training centres in schools and other institutions, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative to support IT education for the student community.

The Commercial Bank’s CSR Trust was established in 2004 and presently focuses mainly on projects aimed at uplifting standards of IT and English education. The Trust commenced with a start up capital of Rs. 25 million and the bank contributes up to 1% of its profits to it every year.

Enjoy a relaxing getaway with American Express

American Express Cardmembers are now able to unwind with their loved one with complimentary stays and exclusive savings at American Express partner hotels till June 30. Considered some of the best leisure destinations in the country, these hotels offer the best of luxury and relaxation surrounded by breathtaking nature, architecture and design.

Enjoy the second night free (BB basis) at The Tamarind Hill- Galle, The River House - Balapitiya, The Elephant Corridor - Sigiriya, Deco on 44 - Galle Fort, Ranna 212- Tangalle, Taprospa “Footprints” - Beruwela, Taprospa “Tissa”- Tissamaharama and St Lachlan - Negombo.

Enjoy 25% savings on booked basis at Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa - Passekudah, Amaya Lake - Dambulla, Amaya Hills - Kandy, Langdale by Amaya - Nuwaraeliya, Coral Rock by Amaya - Hikkaduwa, Amaya Hunas Falls - Kandy and Wild trails by Amaya- Yala.

Commenting on this offer, Sharmila Arasaratnam, Senior Manager Marketing – American Express Cards said “We are privileged to join the country’s premium partner organizations in offering this value added benefit to our Cardmembers. Be it time away from the city with friends or family or a private retreat with that special someone, these destinations are bound to be a well deserved break.”

To find out more details about this exciting offer or for more information on membership privileges please log on to www.americanexpress.lk.

The American Express card is issued and acquired in Sri Lanka solely by Nations Trust Bank PLC.