Sustainable Development Goals Archives

Sri Lankan cooperatives asset base increased to Rs three billion

28Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

Sri Lankan cooperatives asset base increased to Rs three billion

The asset base of Sri Lankan cooperatives have increased to nearly Rs three billion (US$ 18 million)-and coops are no longer charitable organizations, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said addressing the launch of Asia Pacific Cooperative Development Conference by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in Colombo on Monday. "Cooperatives are no longer charitable organizations and they have to compete with other institutions in a liberalized market economy. Accordingly, Cooperatives may formulate proper strategic plans to sell their products and services," Minister Bathiudeen said. The two-day conference from 27-28 February was the first ever such ICA Conference to be held in Sri Lanka. The two day sessions will be focusing on integrating Sustainable Developm...

WTO’S role crucial for Sri Lanka – Industry and Commerce Minister

23Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

WTO’S role crucial for Sri Lanka – Industry and Commerce Minister

Sri Lanka's Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen says the role of rules based multilateral trading system led by World Trade Organization (WTO) has become more crucial in paving a level playing field for its members, in particular for small economies such as Sri Lanka. Minister in a message to the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference held from 10th to 13th December in Buenos Aires, Argentina said slow growth in trade, challenges from the digital transformation, attracting FDI, level of unemployment, access to trade financing and sustainable development are some of the great challenges that many developing countries such as Sri Lanka encounter today. "The role of rules based multilateral trading system led by WTO has therefore become more crucial in paving a level playing fi...

ICTA Strategic Initiatives Transforming Sri Lanka’s Digital Landscape

20Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

ICTA Strategic Initiatives Transforming Sri Lanka’s Digital Landscape

Countries spanning the globe are dramatically accelerating digitalisation across ecosystems and value chains making rapid gains from embracing digital technologies. Sri Lanka’s apex ICT institution, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), has during the year leveraged digitisation as a key enabler providing digital empowerment to all sections of society. As a mandated industry partner, ICTA plays a vital role in supporting and helping the nation reach its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a paradigm shift in the ICT domain of the country implementing key ICT development projects focusing on poverty alleviation, socio-economic growth, education, health, ICT exports, job creation for youth and digital Infrastructure development. ...

9Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Today is World Anti Corruption Day

Today marks World Anti Corruption Day. Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global GDP. According to the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP, in developing countries, funds lost to corruption are estimated at ten times the amount of official development assistance. This year’s theme for the World Anti Corruption Day is ”United against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security” The UNODC and UNDP have developed a joint global campaign, focussing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development. The 2017 joint International Campaign focusses on corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achie...

Sri Lanka Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure and UNDP partner for ‘HackaDev’ – Youth Social Innovation Challenge

6Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Sri Lanka Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure and UNDP partner for ‘HackaDev’ – Youth Social Innovation Challenge

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to scale up HackaDev - Youth Social Innovation Challenge. Under this initial agreement UNDP's tried and tested social innovation hackathon - HackaDev will be further scaled up and implemented until the end of 2019. The program is aimed at giving effect to the realization of the vision of a Digital Economy in Sri Lanka and will put young people in the spotlight of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the National level. The program is a co-financed initiative between the Ministry and UNDP, working closely with the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the National Youth Services Council (NYSC),...

State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe appointed Vice President of UNESCAP committee on trade and investment

4Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe appointed Vice President of UNESCAP committee on trade and investment

State Minister of International Trade of Sri Lanka Sujeewa Senasinghe was unanimously appointed the Vice Chairman of the Fifth Session of the Committee on Trade and Investment of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) at the Fifth Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Week held from 31st October to 2nd November 2017 in Bangkok. At the inauguration the Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2017: "Channeling Trade and Investment into Sustainable Development" which served as the resource document for the deliberations, was launched. The Committee session sought to review the role of trade and trade policy as drivers of regional integration and prosperity in an era of economic uncertainty. At the discussions the promotion of trade facilitation...