2. Commercial Bank Posts Robust 3Q Growth
Sri Lanka Com Bank Cuts Interest Rate on Credit Cards
Commercial Bank Expands Money Transfer Services in Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka Private Sector Credit up by 12.8%
Branch Openings
Budget 2011
Initial Public Offerings
High Powered Team to Help Achieve Sri Lanka’s USD 4,000 Per Capita Goal
Ease of Doing Business 2011
Snippets
Analysis & Forecast
Economy & Business News
Financial Sector News
CONTENTS
ECONOMIC CAPSULE – OCTOBER, 2010
4. Commercial Bank Posts Robust 3Q Growth
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Commercial Bank 9M Performance (Group) Commercial Bank 3Q Performance (Bank)
A strong focus on core banking operations and a resurgence of credit demand generated
solid growth in key performance indicators for the Bank at the end of the 3Q of 2010.
Growth was particularly strong in the 3Q, with the Bank’s profit before tax growing 54.8
% to Rs 2.494 bn, and its post-tax profit improving 47.8 % to Rs 1.414 bn over the
corresponding three months of 2009.
One of the principal contributors to this performance was the robust growth of the
Bank’s loan book in the 3Q as well as over the nine month period.
Gross Loans and Advances increased by Rs 18.135 bn in the three months, from Rs
186.635 bn at 30th June, 2010 to Rs 204.770 bn at 30th September, 2010 a growth of
9.72%. Within these three months alone, non-performing loans reduced by Rs 2.602 bn
or 13.65 %.
Net Interest Income growth was more pronounced in the 3Q. Increased lending had
generated Net Interest Income of Rs 4.312 bn in the three months ending 30th September
2010, a growth of 41.5 % compared to the corresponding period of 2009.
These measures, coupled with improved macro economic conditions in the country had
enabled the Bank to bring down its gross and net non-performing advances ratios to
5.02 % and 3.36 % respectively by the end of the 3Q from levels of 6.84% and 4.89% at
the end of the previous year.
5. Sri Lanka Com Bank Cuts Interest Rate on Credit Cards
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This reduction is in line with the trend of reducing lending rates, and is even
less than the 24 % rate requested by the Central Bank from the credit card
issuing banks.
Commercial Bank has reduced interest rate applicable
on all credit cards issued by the bank.
The interest rate on outstanding balances on the bank's
cards has been reduced to 22 % a year from 35 % or to
1.83 % a month with effect from November 01, 2010.
6. Commercial Bank Expands Money Transfer Services in Saudi Arabia
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Commercial Bank 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 rated Sri Lanka’s best.
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.
7. Sri Lanka Private Sector Credit up by 12.8%
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Private sector credit demand
(Y-o-Y) has been picking-up.
After posting y-o-y declines
since April, 09’, private sector
credit demand entered positive
territory in March, 10’ and
recorded a y-o-y growth of 12.8
% by end August, 10’ in
contrast to a contraction of 5.7
% at end 09’.
2010 Aug Year Ago
Rs. bn % Rs. bn %
Net Credit to Govt. 697.4 -2.1 712.3 73.4
Credit to Corp. 106.4 194.4 36.1 -10.8
Credit to Private Sector 1,326.2 12.8 1,175.5 -4.8
Credit to the Private Sector - YoY Change %
%
8. Research & Development Unit
Branch Openings
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Mawathagama
Commercial Bank to Serve Customers on Hadji Day
Fifty (50) of Commercial Bank’s branches and Supermarket Banking counters will be kept open for the convenience of customers on November 17,
Hadji Festival day, a statutory bank holiday.
17 branches in the Colombo and Gampaha districts, the foreign branch at the Head Office, the Bank's 25 Supermarket Banking counters and its 365
day banking centres at Colombo 07, Ampara, Negombo, Galle City, Kandy City, Majestic City and Jaffna will be open for business and that all over-
the-counter banking transactions could be conducted as usual.
The branches that will stay open in Colombo and Gampaha Districts include the foreign branch and branches at Wellawatte, Kollupitiya, Kotahena,
Maharagama, Borella, Nugegoda, Narahenpita, Battaramulla, Panchikawatte, Union Place, Wattala, Dehiwala, Moratuwa, Nittambuwa, Kiribathgoda,
Avissawella and Piliyandala.
185
10. Budget 2011
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The Appropriation Bill showing government
expenditure for 2011 was submitted to the
Parliament recently. The government has estimated
its expenditure for 2011 to be over 1,080 bn.
The highest allocation in the Appropriation Bill has
been made to the Defence Ministry. It stood at Rs.
215.22 bn, (an increase of about 6 % from last year)
which includes recurrent expenditure and
expenditure such as payment of wages for the
Security Services personnel.
The allocation for Economic Development amounts
to Rs. 75.24 bn and the allocation for the Health
Sector amounts to Rs. 62.25 bn Ports and Aviation
services have been allocated a sum of Rs. 28.65 bn.
The Government expects to obtain a sum of Rs. 997
bn as loans from local and foreign sources to cover
its expenses next year.
The Appropriation Bill is considered the first reading
of the budget and sets out expenditure allocations
for various ministries and also foreign and local
borrowing limits for the next year. The budget for
2011 is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on
the 22nd of November, 2010.
The Appropriation Bill 2011
The Presidential Commission on Taxation headed by Prof. W.D. Lakshman has recommended far reaching
tax reforms including the;
Sharp reduction of the number of existing taxes which are about 60 to about half of it, simplifying the
computation of taxes and offering a range of new tax holidays to local and foreign investors.
The Commission has recommended -not to increase the rates of existing taxes in its attempt to improve
the tax revenue -but to simplify the tax collection mechanism.
Action will also be taken to broaden the VAT and income tax bases, simplify the operational modalities
of the VAT system and income taxes to eliminate weaknesses, including the complex VAT refund
mechanism, and to improve revenue collection.
Streamlining trade and excise taxes with tax exemptions to be allowed only on the grounds of national
security, health, environment, and international commitments and simplifying the dual customs duty
structure which has prevailed for almost 10 years
The commission has also recommended a complete overhaul of the administration of the Inland
Revenue Department, modernization of the tax administration and introduction of IT.
Tax Reforms
Fiscal Performance – August, 2010 Jan-Aug 2010 (Rs. Bn) Jan-Aug 2009 (Rs. Bn)
Total Revenue & Grants 502.9 426.4
Revenue 495.3 409.2
Tax 441.0 373.6
Non tax 54.3 35.5
Grants 7.6 17.3
Expenditure & Lending Minus Repayments 817.5 773.1
Current expenditure 635.3 614.8
Capital & Lending Minus Repayments 182.2 158.3
Budget Deficit (incl. grants) -314.6 -346.7
As a % of GDP -5.72 -7.18
Budget Deficit (excl. grants) -322.2 363.9
As a % of GDP -5.86 -7.54
11. Initial Public Offerings
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Laugfs Gas
A share issue by Sri Lankan liquid petroleum gas supplier Laugfs Gas to raise Rs. 2.5 bn was oversubscribed on the opening day itself.
Laugfs Gas announced its intention to raise Rs 2,505 mn from the public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 22 % of its stake. The firm offered
75 mn voting shares at Rs. 23 each and 52 mn non-voting shares at Rs. 15 each.
The money will be used to expand the gas business and diversify into hotels and property and repay debt.
Hydro Power Free Lanka
The Rs. 350 mn Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Hydro Power Free Lanka Ltd. had triggered a massive oversubscription with investors demanding a staggering
Rs. 20 bn worth of shares.
According to the registrars to the issue the IPO had generated 111 applications with payments made by bank guarantees requesting 1.925 bn shares worth Rs.
19.25 bn whilst 6,778 applications had requested for 71.88 mn shares worth Rs. 718.8 mn, bringing the total to Rs. 20 bn reflecting an oversubscription of 57
times.
The IPO consisted of 35 mn shares at Rs. 10 each.
Hydro Power Free Lanka wants to build three new plants. It now has two power plants which sell power to the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board. A new 0.83 MW
plant is to be built in Thebuwana and another 0.94 MW plant in Stellenberg for Rs. 150 mn each for which agreements have been finalized. It also plans a larger
plant in Halgran Oya for 3.0 MW which can be expanded by another 0.60 MW with agreement with the CEB to be finalized in November.
Sierra Construction
Sierra Construction Ltd is to go public early next year to raise Rs. 400 mn in a bid to take on more projects and retire its debt, according to company officials.
Sierra, which owns boutique hotel Elephant Corridor, is also eyeing four mega projects in Matale, Avissawella and two in the upcountry.
IPO’S
Sri Lanka Singer Finance
Singer Finance Ltd plans to raise Rs. 400 mn in an IPO through selling 25 % (26.6 mn shares) of its shares at 15 rupees a share to the public.
12. High Powered Team to Help Achieve Sri Lanka’s USD 4,000 Per Capita Goal
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The main focus of the committee is to concentrate on upgrading goods
and services to make them on par with international standards.
In order to do this, proper technologies and processes should be in
place. In order to rationalise and prioritise the course of action needed
to double per capita income, the Cabinet has approved the drawing up
of a National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for 2011-
2015.
Cabinet has given approval for the appointment of a high powered committee to formulate
strategic plans with assistance from the private sector to achieve the goal of doubling the
per capita income to USD 4,000 by 2015.
The committee had been selected to specifically focus on the priority needs for rapid
economic development in the next five years. They are tasked with evaluating the project
proposals submitted by line ministries and formulate a coordinating structure that would
include the private sector wherever possible.
13. Ease of Doing Business 2011
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Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1 – 183. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the
regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. This index averages the country's percentile
rankings on 9 topics, made up of a variety of indicators, giving equal weight to each topic. The rankings are from the Doing Business
2011 report, covering the period June 2009 through May 2010.
Sri Lanka Stays in Place in Doing Business
2011 Ranking
Sri Lanka retained its place at 102 in a ranking of
183 countries for ease of doing business, by the
World Bank group for 2011 though some of its
neighbors made gains.
Doing
Business
Rank 2011
Doing Business
Rank 2010
Sri Lanka 102 102
Maldives 11 85 96
Bangladesh 4 107 111
India 1 134 135
Pakistan 8 83 75
Nepal 4 116 112
Bhutan 2 142 140
Afghanistan 2 167 165
Top 10 Rankings
1 Singapore
2 Hong Kong SAR, China
3 New Zealand
4 United Kingdom
5 United States
6 Denmark
7 Canada
8 Norway
9 Ireland
10 Australia
Topic Rankings
DB
2011
Rank
DB
2010
Rank
Change
in Rank
Starting a Business 34 40 6
Dealing with Construction Permits 169 167 -2
Registering Property 155 151 -4
Getting Credit 72 69 -3
Protecting Investors 74 73 -1
Paying Taxes 166 165 -1
Trading Across Borders 72 66 -6
Enforcing Contracts 137 136 -1
Closing a Business 43 45 2
14. SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - - - - - - Back to
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SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - - - - - - -
According to the Securities and Exchange
Commission chairperson Ms. Indrani
Sugathadasa, Sri Lanka's active stock market
investors had increased to 64,000 by September
2010 from 37,000 a year earlier.
At present the number of total Central
Depository System (CDS) account holders is
530,000.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has
created history by establishing new records in
almost all aspects of trading from total market
turnover to market capitalization recently. The
CSE has been ranked the best performing
capital market in the world for 2010, with a
growth of over 95 %.
SL’s Stock Investors Increase amid Boom
Ceylon Asset Management has launched a dedicated Financial Sector Fund, describing it as the next biggest
investment arena with potential to grow significantly in post-war Sri Lanka. The fund is structured as an open-
ended, equity fund that lets investors invest and exit at anytime and it will distribute tax free income from
profits on an annual basis.
Partnering with Deutsche Bank AG, the Ceylon Asset Management is introducing this fund in a bid to capture
the returns from the top 10 banking, finance and insurance sector (BFI) companies namely Commercial Bank of
Ceylon, Hatton National Bank, Lanka Orix Leasing Company, DFCC Bank, Sampath Bank, National
Development Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Central Finance Company, Seylan Bank & Aviva NDB Insurance listed
on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).
The BFI sector is reported to have gained 166.81% in the first three quarters of 2010, outperforming the ASPI
which gained 106.68% to emerge as Asia’s top performer
Dedicated Financial Sector Fund by Ceylon Asset Management
Three labour market experts, won the 2010
Nobel Economics Prize for research that
has had an impact on employment reforms
worldwide.
According to the Nobel jury, the work of
Peter Diamond and Dale Mortensen of the
United States and British-Cypriot
Christopher Pissarides helped resolve
puzzles such as why people remained
unemployed despite a large number of job
openings.
It lauded the three economists "for their
analysis of markets with search frictions,"
which helps explain how unemployment, job
vacancies and wages are affected by
regulation and economic policy.
According to traditional theory, markets
should work on their own to ensure that job
seekers find available jobs.
The Diamond-Mortensen-Pissarides, or DMP
model, however, shows that markets do not
always function that way and helps explain
why unemployment persists and proves
stubbornly resistant even when economic
circumstances improve.
Trio of Labour Market
Specialists wins 2010
Economics Prize
SL’s Stock Investors Increase
amid Boom
Heraymila group, a Middle Eastern investment house is
planning to float a USD 50 mn fund in early 2011 which
will invest in fundamentally sound Sri Lankan stocks.
Heraymila Investments is a Dubai-based firm which
manages USD 260 mn directly and is operating as an
overseas investment arm for Al Mashal, a Saudi Arabia
based family.
The firm says it has invested in publicly traded
companies, private firms and property in developed
markets like the US, Japan, Australia and in emerging
markets.
It started investing in Sri Lanka in 2005, and has now
bought its own Colombo-based stockbrokering firm from
Sri Lanka's Amana Islamic finance group which has been
re-named Heraymila Securities.
Sri Lanka USD 50mn Fund Planned by Heraymila
15. SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - SNIPPETS - - - - - - Back to
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The second Jaffna International Trade
Fair 2011 (JITF) organized by the Lanka
Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt)
Ltd, in collaboration with the Federation
of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held
from 21-23 January 2011 at the
Durayappah Stadium, Jaffna.
The trade fair themed “Open for
Business” is aimed at strengthening
and bridging trade links between the
North and the rest of Sri Lanka.
The Government of Sri Lanka and the World Bank jointly signed off on three projects with
agreements totaling US$ 125.4 mn for Small and Medium Enterprise Development, North
East Local Service Improvements, and Sustainable Tourism development.
The credits from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s
concessionary lending arm, have 20 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period.
SME Development USD 57.4 mn
Improve access to finance for SMEs affected by the
Global Financial Crisis
North East Service
Improvement Projects
USD 50.0 mn
This project will support repairing and rebuilding
critical infrastructure – from rural roads, culverts and
bridges to public buildings, waste disposal, and rural
water supply
Sustainable Tourism
Development
USD 18.0 mn
Facilitate environmentally and socially sound
investments in the tourism sector, focusing
particularly on the eastern part of the country
Jaffna International Trade Fair 2011 (JITF)
World Bank Provides US$125.4 mn for Tourism, SME Development, and
North East Service Improvement Projects
Sri Lanka Unemployment Lower in 2Q,
2010
*Excluding Northern Province 2009 2009, Q2 2010, Q2
Labour force participation rate 48.7 48.3 47.9
Unemployment rate 5.8 6.2 5.4
Employed population 7,602,414 7,465,030 7,613,267
By Industry (%) Agriculture 32.6 31.9 32.0
Industry 25.1 25.6 23.6
Services 42.3 42.4 44.4
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC acquired Kotmale Holdings PLC as part of its
accelerated expansion and diversification drive.
The acquisition includes 3 production plants under Kotmale Holdings
PLC located in Bogahawatta, Kaluthara and Colombo.
Cargills acquired a 73% stake at a maximum price of Rs. 40/- per share
and a mandatory offer, as per regulations for the balance shares would
follow shortly.
Cargills buys Kotmale Holdings
* Group
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Sri Lanka to List Stake in Broadcast Tower
Sri Lanka is to start
building a 350-metre
telecom tower in the capital
Colombo and intends to sell
shares to the public in a
firm to be set up to operate
it.
According to director
general of the
Telecommunications
Regulatory Commission Mr.
Anusha Pelpita, the tower is
to be called 'Lotus Tower' is
to be built with a USD 100
mn dollar financing from
China.
The state is planning to list
a 30 % stake in the tower in
the Colombo stock
exchange in two years.
The telecom tower will be
built on land owned by the
State Engineering
Corporation in Peliyagoda.
The state-run Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) is to help operate a liquid petroleum
gas business the government acquired after buying out a majority stake held by Shell.
The government bought a 51 %stake in the unit of Royal Dutch Shell in the island for USD 63
mn,. The government already held a % stake, and a 100 % stake in a storage terminal
company.
Sri Lanka Insurance Corp to Help Run Gas Business
300 Sri Lankan Workers for Farm Work in Israel
For the first time in the history, of Sri Lanka, 300 seasonal workers from the country
are to participate in a test project, for six months, on 80 farms across Israel, assisting
Israeli farmers, during their seasonal peak.
An employee is assured of a minimum wage of Rs 115,000 per month,
accommodation, medical and other facilities along with an insurance cover. They are
also protected by Israeli labour laws.
The project is being coordinated between the government of Israel, the government
of Sri Lanka and the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration.
Even though Israel has limited land and faces a scarcity of water, it applies the most
modern and economical strategies for agriculture which could be beneficial to Sri
Lanka through a knowledge/technology transfer.
17. Analysis & Forecast
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External Trade
Earnings from exports:
on a year-on-year basis, increased by 7% in August,2010
on a cumulative basis, increased by 10.8% during Jan – Aug 2010
Expenditure on imports:
on a year-on-year basis, increased by 35.7% in August,2010
on a cumulative basis, increased by 36.9% during Jan – Aug 2010
Trade deficit expanded to USD 3,630 mn during Jan – Aug 2010 from USD
1,782 mn in the corresponding period of 2009.
Category
Jan - Aug
2009
USD mn
Jan - Aug
2010
USD mn
Change %
Exports 4,551.3 5,040.4 10.8
Imports 6,333.0 8,669.9 36.9
Balance of Trade -1,781.7 -3,629.6 -103.7
Workers’
Remittances
2,194.7 2,478.8 12.9
The rate of inflation as measured by the CCPI on a Year on Year basis
increased to 6.6 % in October 2010 from 5.8 % recorded in September 2010
third time in October. The highest contribution to the overall increase of
around 69 % came from food commodities which increase by 5 % in October
2010. The combined effects of both domestically produced and imported
food commodities contributed to the increase in the food sub Index
The annual average inflation increased to 5.4 % in October, 2010 from 5.0 %
in the previous month.
Inflation
18. Analysis & Forecast
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International Reserves
International Reserves - The gross official reserves of the country surpassed the USD 7 bn level on 4th October 2010. This level of reserves
is sufficient to cover over 6.8 months of imports and is the highest ever recorded reserves level of Sri Lanka.
Under IMF-SBA, the fifth tranche was received on 24 September 2010, amounting to approximately USD 212.5 mn. This is in addition to the
two tranches received on 30 June 2010(about USD 407.8 mn).
The issue of the USD 1 bn sovereign bond with a 10 year maturity was finalised on 27 September 2010. The yield of 6.25% was substantially
lower than those of the previous issues.
Market interest rates have continued to adjust downward during the year
reflecting the significant easing of monetary policy since early 2009.
The AWDR declined to 6.58% by September from 8.01% in December 2009 while
the AWFDR declined to 8.68% in September from 10.91% in December 2009.
The monthly AWPR was 9.55% in September compared to 11.12% in December
2009.
Interest Rates
4.50
6.50
8.50
10.50
12.50
14.50
16.50
18.50
20.50
22.50
Jan-00
Jun-00
Nov-00
Apr-01
Sep-01
Feb-02
Jul-02
Dec-02
May-03
Oct-03
Mar-04
Aug-04
Jan-05
Jun-05
Nov-05
Apr-06
Sep-06
Feb-07
Jul-07
Dec-07
May-08
Oct-08
Mar-09
Aug-09
Jan-10
Jun-10
%
MonthlyAWPR AWDR AWFDR T-Bill yield (91-day)
19. Analysis & Forecast
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Sri Lanka
2009 2010* 2011* 2012*
Actual IMF Fitch IMF Fitch IMF Fitch
GDP Growth Rate (%) 3.5 7.0 7.2 7.0 7.0 6.5 7.3
Rate of Inflation [change in CCPI (N) – Annual Avg.] (%) 3.4 6.5 5.5 8.0 6.0 8.0 6.5
Current Account Balance (% of GDP) -0.5 -4.3 -2.7 -4.6 -2.9 -4.8 -3.3
Gross Official Reserves (USD Bn) 4.9 7.0 6.9 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.5
Rs./USD (annual average) 114.38 - 113.9 - 112.8 - 111.5
Fiscal Deficit as % of GDP (9.8) - (8.2) - (7.2) - (6.0)
IMF World Outlook 2009 2010* 2011*
World Output -0.6 4.8 4.2
Advanced Economies -3.2 2.7 2.2
United States -2.6 2.6 2.3
Euro Area -4.1 1.7 1.5
Germany -4.7 3.3 2.0
Italy -5.0 1.0 1.0
Japan -5.2 2.8 1.5
United Kingdom -4.9 1.7 2.0
Russia -7.9 4.0 4.3
Developing Asia 6.9 9.4 8.4
China 9.1 10.5 9.6
India 5.7 9.7 8.4
ASEAN-5 1.7 6.6 5.4
Middle East & North Africa 2.0 4.1 5.1
Brazil -0.2 7.5 4.1
*Projections
Source: IMF, Oct 2010
ASEAN-5 - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
* Forecast
20. The information contained in this presentation has been drawn from sources that we believe to be reliable. However, while we have taken reasonable care to maintain accuracy/completeness of the information, it should be noted that Commercial
Bank of Ceylon PLC and/or its employees should not be held responsible, for providing the information or for losses or damages, financial or otherwise, suffered in consequence of using such information for whatever purpose.
The views expressed in Economic Capsule are not necessarily those of the Management of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
Regret for wasted time is more wasted time
Mason Cooley