Market Research Society of Sri Lanka Inauguration with a Presentation on ‘Global Overview of Market and Opinion Research

31st March 2013, www.island.lk

The Market Research Society of Sri Lanka (MRSSL) is set to host a landmark event today (April 1st, 2013, Monday), a presentation on ‘global overview of market and opinion research’, marking the inauguration of the MRSSL in Sri Lanka.

MRSSL was established a few months ago with the cooperation of the leading Market Research agencies in the country. And in its endeavor to ensure that Market Research practice in Sri Lanka is on par with global standards, MRSSL is already registered with ESOMAR, the essential organization for encouraging, advancing and elevating Market Research worldwide. The key note speakers at this historic event are two distinguished persons from ESOMAR - Ms. Helen Parker, and John Smurthwaite.

Ms. Helen Parker is the External Relations Manager for ESOMAR, and her role involves working with the 79 Representatives throughout the world. Representatives serve as ESOMAR’s ambassadors in their local countries. They are part of a global team who further ESOMAR’s mission to promote the value and use of opinion and marketing research.

John Smurthwaite, always a strong ESOMAR supporter, is the ESOMAR Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific region. John was also a Programme Committee member for ESOMAR Asia Pacific conference held recently in 2012. He was the 2011 winner of ESOMAR’s prestigious John Downham award, recognizing outstanding achievement and excellence in his contribution to the market research industry at an international level.

Both speakers will touch upon some of the emerging global trends in the field of market research and the implications for Sri Lanka from a point of view of those who provide Market Research services, as well as to the users of Market Research.

All the leading businesses in the country have been invited for this occasion, and MRSSL is confident that Corporate Sri Lanka would extend their whole-hearted support by participating in this event, and subsequently becoming members of the Society.

Speaking about the event,Ravi Bamunusinghe, President, MRSSL observes, "The Market Research Industry in Sri Lanka is reaching new standards with the launch MRSSL and association with ESOMAR. I look forward to see these changes in the near future together with our stakeholders". Ms. Himalee Madurasinghe, Secretary, MRSSL adds on, "We are extremely fortunate to have Ms. Helen Parker and John Smurthwaite present with us to share their experience in maintaining international standards across the market research world.".

As part of the event, the office bearers of MRSSL will also briefly talk about the ambitions of the Market Research Society in the country.

CIC Leverages Research to Anticipate Wants and Needs to Offer Products and Services to Enhance Lives of Its Customers

29th March 2013, www.island.lk

As one of Sri Lanka’s leading blue-chip conglomerates, CIC Holdings PLC is committed to remaining relevant, and has the ability to adapt with the customer and the changing operating environment. To this end, CIC leverages its significant prowess in research to successfully anticipate wants and needs which are constantly evolving, and to offer products and services which enhance the lives of its customers, the company said in a statement.

CIC Holdings is the only company to own and operate seed and soil laboratories, and the company’s seed paddy enterprise has made a significant impact in the local agriculture landscape with the extensive research and trials carried out on the farms, including the introduction of a new variety of rice. The Red Basmati rice has a low glycaemic index, meaning that it releases sugar slowly, making it a healthier option, and is the first to be introduced in the country by any private sector entity.

Strengthening its already existing inventory, a new strain of hybrid corn seed of enhanced quality and yield was registered by CIC during 2011, while over 150 acres of farmland are under cultivation with a premium strain of bananas, which is predominantly marketed locally under the brand "CIC Quality Banana".

CIC Holdings has capitalised on the opportunities presented as a result of research and development and productivity improvement in agriculture. Having achieved self-sufficiency in rice production, the company is now moving on to exporting the surplus available. The development of new quality rice varieties has enabled CIC to target ethnic markets in USA, Australia, and Europe, and afforded the company the ideal positioning to export rice to discerning and accessible markets.

CIC Holdings operates one of the most advanced and most up-to-date tissue culture laboratories in the country. As a direct result of the research conducted at this laboratory, CIC exports over 180 varieties of native Australian plants which are imported and multiplied, and sent back to Australia, as well as tissue cultured ornamental plants which are sent to Denmark.

The company is currently extending their reach to the region, with the tissue culture lab setting up a satellite facility in Bangladesh to augment the processing of certain plant species, specifically targeting the expansion in to Australia in particular.

With Link Natural Products, CIC’s research focuses on methods of bringing customers all the benefits of herbal medicine combined with the convenience of modern Western medicine. Clinical trials conducted on Samahan, Link’s hallmark product, produced highly favourable results which were widely reported in the Ceylon Medical Journal. The trials were conducted amongst a sample consisting of 800 participants who reported on the alleviation of 15 cold and cold-related symptoms after the consumption of Samahan.

The herbal industry relies on plants, most often rare indigenous varieties, which are not always the products of organized cultivation. Therefore, CIC draws on the synergies of its tissue culture laboratory to find solutions for growing certain forest species under controlled farm conditions. With sustainability at the core of its production model, CIC farms utilise the research resources to grow their own requirements without the arbitrary harvesting of natural reserves.

The ability of CIC Holdings to look ahead with a clear plan and focus on the future has been one of the company’s greatest strengths. In this regard, the company has formulated "Plan 2020", which is the Group’s blueprint for its future progress till the year 2020. Whilst simultaneously developing all major areas of business, much of the strategy of this plan will focus on going through a process of research and development.

 Related Info :

• Bananas to Europe from CIC Agri, Sri Lanka

• CIC Agri Business Grows Grapes in Kilinochchi to supply Sri Lanka's growing Demand of Wine & Grape

Incentives to Private Sector to Invest in University Research in Sri Lanka. Professionals Overseas Express Willingness to Come Back

31st January 2011, www.dailymirror.lk, By Kelum Bandara

The government has decided to give income tax concessions to private sector companies that invest in research work at local state universities in Sri Lanka, officials said yesterday.
Higher Education Ministry secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told Daily Mirror yesterday that any university could now undertake research in various fields under private sector sponsorship.

Dr. Navaratne said that the public sector had insufficient funds for investment in this sector and, therefore, the country had lost many opportunities to introduce new services and products through research.

He said, “If a company invests Rs.10 million, twice that amount would be deducted from their income tax. Companies take a risk in making such investments. Research can sometimes end in failure or take years to produce results.”

“In other countries, research is carried out through public-private partnership. The transistor radio was also developed through a similar system. The private sector can invest in university research and enjoy this tax benefit,” he said.

He also said that 10-15 university lecturers who were working overseas had expressed their willingness to come back, after the government’s announcement that they could return despite having violated the conditions of the bonds they had entered into with their respective universities.

“I have received letters from 10-15 lecturers living abroad,” he said.

Asked about the facilities to be given to such lecturers, he said, “They can send their children to quality schools here. We will also be able to pay them better in the future.”

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Research Vessel for Sri Lanka's Marine Research Agency. NARA Technical College to be Upgraded to Ocean University

22nd January 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's state marine research agency will buy a survey and research vessel from Taiwan to deepen knowledge and also upgrade a technical college to 'ocean university' status, a government minister said.

The state National Aquatic and Research Agency (NARA) had been given the nod by the cabinet of minister to purchase a research vessel for 313 million rupees, minister Anura Yapa said.

The vessel has capacity to conduct hydrography, oceanography and marine biology research.

"The research vessel to NARA will enhance survey activities in these field," minister Yapa said.

The government is also making the National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering into a full degree awarding status 'Ocean University'.

The cabinet of minister had given approval to draft new legislation to upgrade the college.

Sri Lanka is laying claim to extra sea area under international conventions. The end of a 30-year war had also opened up opportunities to increase marine activities.

Gartner Research Identifies Sri Lanka as a Leading Emerging Offshore Location

27th December 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Gartner, Inc. has identified the Top 30 countries for globally sourced activities in 2010-2011, each one rated according to ten criteria and found that eight new countries have made their debut in the Top 30. Many organizations that choose to move IT services to lower-cost countries are daunted by the task of determining which country or countries would best host their operations.

“This year the Top 30 countries are exclusively emerging nations,” said Gartner research Vice President Ian Marriott”. As the pace of change is slower in developed countries we have chosen to focus on those locations that are still maturing and developing, domestically and internationally,” Marriott said.

Nine countries from Asia/Pacific were represented in the 30 leading countries, compared with ten in previous years.

Gartners Top 30 locations for offshore services in 2010 in Asia are (in alphabetical order) Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Gartner’s inclusion of Sri Lanka on the Top 30 clearly outlined the potential of Sri Lankan IT/BPO industry. We are pleased to note Sri Lanka is ranked among the top emerging counties for outsourcing by Gartner.” said Slasscom Chairman Dinesh Saparamadu.

“Our focus is to build the industry to become a one billion US$ export industry by 2015 from our current position of $ 390 million. “Saparamadu said.

Related Info:
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DSI Group with University of Moratuwa Establishes R&D Unit for Rubber Products following PPP Incentives in Last Budget

23rd December, 2010, www.island.lk

DSI Samson Group recently signed an agreement, with University of Moratuwa and Uni-Consultancy Services to jointly establish a Research and Development unit for Rubber based Products and Process development. The event took place at the University of Moratuwa on 16th December 2010.

DSI Samson Group is a well established diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate and a leading manufacturer and exporter of rubber based products.

The company is aiming at developing its research facility base to compete successfully with the competitors in the international market.

"Government of Sri Lanka has given attractive incentives to the private sector to carry out Research & Development projects through recent budget proposals and we are very keen on getting the best out of the opportunity" said Kulathunga Rajapaksa, the managing director of DSI Samson Group.

He further added that rubber based product manufacturing industry contributes to approximately 5% of the total export revenue of Sri Lanka and the competitiveness of the industry can be improved through Public Private Partnership.

Steep increase in rubber prices during the current year has made the Sri Lankan rubber products highly un-competitive in the global market.

Research and development plays a vital role in maintaining the competitiveness of the local rubber products manufacturers in terms of cost reduction and quality improvement.

Sri Lanka to Raise $10bn from Ten Industries. IT/BPO, Clinical Trials and Research among Them

10th July 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Harshini Perera

The Government is looking at ten industries in Sri Lanka that will earn US$ one billion each in the future. IT/BPO, clinical trials and research industries are a few among the ten industries that have been earmarked as main export income earners of the country.

These industries can drastically change the nature of exports of the country, Finance and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera said.

Speaking at the breakfast meeting forum on ‘IT BPO an enabler in the insurgence of Sri Lankan economy’ he said the Government has created a cluster with all authorities involved in getting these ten industries to target over US$ one billion. The present taxation needs to be revised to a justifiable tax system, Dr. Jayasundera said. “The medium level term road map of the Budget presented recently will enable the country to achieve double-digit growth rate with the performances of these industries.”

The Government will not promote the export of raw material such as sand and minerals if they are not value added.

He said funds that were allocated for military operations can now be utilised for development projects such as ports and irrigation projects such as the Moragahakanda irrigation project.

“As the IT BPO industry expects a growth of 6 percent in the coming years, the Government will encourage it with the availability of electricity, ports and technology. It is the industry that can be taken to the rural level as it was done with the apparel industry,” Dr. Jayasundera said.

“The IT BPO industry in Sri Lanka is recognised as a hub for financial accounting and outsourcing while it has the most versatile labour in the region,” Virtusa Vice President and General Manager Madu Ratnayake said.

Sri Lanka will be a niche market and entrepreneurship of young industrialists has to be taken into consideration. During the next 10 years, we want the IT/BPO industry to become the number one revenue earner in Sri Lanka.

It has been decided to hold a IT BPO Quality Summit in 2010 to create global attention towards Sri Lanka,” SLASSCOM Chairman Dinesh Saparamadu said.