With several showrooms and offices established in the Indo-Pacific and Persian-gulf regions, Macksons Tile Lanka (Macktiles) is on the next stage of expansion into international markets.

Mizver Makeen, Managing Director of Macksons Holdings says, “Our strategy is to take European standard tiles into these regions and offer them solutions in the tiles segment not merely in design but in properties that are important for daily use with potential for long term durability. As much as the product itself is of high standard and on par with Italian and Spanish tiles, we are also leveraging the Colombo port’s container handling capabilities and connectivity to bring the best value to our customers.”

With the upgrade in technology at their plants within the last two years, the company has reached full capacity in supplying the local market and are now moving to the next stage of their expansion.  The quality of their product is derived from globally sought after Sri Lankan raw materials which make 85% of the tile.  The rest come from high quality European standard materials such as frits and glazes imported from Italy.  The company says all of this combined has helped Macktiles reach the pinnacle of industrial standards one can achieve in tile manufacturing, making their product stand as one of the best in the world. 

Currently the company has established operations in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Maldives, Nigeria, Kenya, and the UAE.  “Our expansion into the Indo-Pacific and Persian-gulf regions is a well thought out move, as these countries’ growth projections in construction are high on the scale.  We are now pushing for the European & Pacific markets such as the US and Australia; and plans for this are already in place.  Our ultimate goal is to take the first step in building another unique export brand for Sri Lanka, like Ceylon tea or the apparel industry,” says the Managing Director.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian construction market, valued at $135.9 billion in 2022, is expected to experience a growth rate of over 2% during the next 3 years, driven by substantial investments in housing and industrial construction projects. Kenya’s construction market, valued at $17.3 billion, is projected to realise an annual growth rate surpassing 5% during the same period, supported by public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives and private investments. Key sectors within the market include residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional construction.

The Maldivian construction industry is poised for a sustained annual growth rate of 7.7% in the next three years, fuelled by government infrastructure projects, private-sector residential initiatives, and advancements in the tourism sector. Simultaneously, the Indonesian construction industry is anticipated to grow by 3% in 2023, buoyed by the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development.  The construction sector which is the essence of the UAE and Saudi Arabian economy, plays an important role in the economic upliftment and development of these countries.

Macktiles, which made a Rs. 16 billion investment between 2020 and 2022, to upgrade their capacity says they are taking the initiative in making Sri Lankan tiles the next sought after iconic brand.  “As we venture into these growth markets and continue to expand our global footprint, we are certain we can make Sri Lankan tiles into an iconic brand like our tea and apparel industries.  This opportunity is not only for Macktiles Lanka but for all local tile manufacturers with cutting edge technology.  We can all join together in taking Sri Lanka’s brand image in this sector to the next level,” says Mizver Makeen adding that Sri Lankan tile exports overall are expected to reach new heights in the next 5 years. 

A Sri Lankan company, which is on par with European standards, and being a part of a Group, which has been a trail blazer in manufacturing for several decades in the country; Macktiles Lanka is the largest local tile manufacturer, and is now in the process of carving out it’s space in the global industry. The Macksons Group, which has made its mark in the paint industry over the past 25 years is now on a drive to take on the tile industry. Maktiles says there is high demand for their tiles which can easily compete with the world’s best Italian and Spanish products in terms of design, quality and variety.  “With our capacity and technology, we can easily cater to both domestic and international markets. We can produce a wide variety of tiles in different shapes, sizes and finishes including glazed and unglazed, polished porcelain and full body marblo tiles. Apart from our commitment to making Sri Lankan tiles into a unique local brand, what sets us apart is our sustainable practices. We are consciously minimising our carbon footprint and in line with that, drive several sustainability projects within our manufacturing facilities and adjacent communities.”

The Managing Director adds that although most obstacles towards achieving and sustaining an iconic brand in tiles for the Sri Lankan market have been eliminated, there remains one factor that needs looking at i.e. clear and stable policies at government level in creating a level playing field for local tile manufacturers.  “We are not asking for protection from foreign competitors, but we need assurances that foreign players will play by the rules of fairness.  There can be instances of unscrupulous exporters to Sri Lanka dumping consignments of tiles with the intention of destabilising the market, and therefore, a certain degree of regulation and collection of data is necessary. Data should be analysed with prevailing international market conditions by state agencies to support policy and law makers in making the right decisions to help local manufacturers who have saved more than USD 150 million outflow in foreign exchange during the import ban. Furthermore, the quality of the minerals from Sri Lanka needs no further endorsement and Macktiles Lanka has carefully mastered utilization of these rich resources for our tiles.”

By Nelum Buddhadasa

Infinite Group, a global leader in the education sector, has taken a significant step towards revolutionising education services in Sri Lanka. In a recent visit to the country, they not only strengthened partnerships with local entities but also unveiled exciting new study abroad opportunities, reinforcing its dedication to facilitating the dreams of Sri Lankan students to study overseas.

Infinite Group’s CEO, Gaurav Batra, led the delegation’s visit to Sri Lanka, as the group experienced a surge in applications for overseas education, notably following the 2023 A/Level exams. Speaking of their transformational initiatives in Sri Lanka, he emphasised the organisation’s mission, saying, “Our goal is to empower students and our recruitment partners with choices, enriching their educational experiences on a global scale. We are dedicated to dismantling geographical barriers and ensuring that Sri Lankan students have access to diverse cultures, academic approaches, and career pathways.”

Amidst growing concerns over affordability, Infinite Group and its local partners have been working diligently to facilitate more accessible and cost-effective study destinations for Sri Lankan students. Financial constraints are being addressed through the introduction of various forms of financial aid and scholarships, enhancing the accessibility of international education.

Despite the economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka, it has remained a robust recruiting pool for foreign universities. The number of students opting to study abroad through Infinite Group’s recruitment partners has surpassed initial expectations, indicating a resilient demand for global educational opportunities among Sri Lankan students.

Infinite Group, in collaboration with their recruitment partners, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the educational landscape. By offering tailored solutions, streamlining operations, and fostering a robust network of partnerships, the organisation has made it significantly easier for Sri Lankan students to access international education opportunities with prestigious universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

By Nelum Buddhadasa

South Asia’s most prestigious Boat & Marine Show Sri Lanka 2023kicked off on October 27^th 2023 at the Marina in the Port City of Colombo.The 8th edition of the exhibition was held for three days from 27th-29th October 2023 and it is the first time that this exhibition was held in the Port City area which is the emerging investment zone of Sri Lanka.

The Boat & Marine Show is not only an exhibition of marine products and services but also a major platform for trade and investment in the sector.Sri Lanka’s largest boat and marine exhibition is organized with the aim of new trends in the field of recreational boats and boat manufacturing, yacht manufacturing, marine tourism industry, boat export and boat manufacturing.

The Boat and Marine Show Sri Lanka 2023 was organized by The Chamber of Marine Industries of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in association with the Ministry of Industries, Sri Lanka Port Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation.

This year’s exhibition included 54 companies involved in the boat and marine industry,various booths and 79 different items. The show was organized to target foreign buyers and investors, buyers and industrialists from India, Singapore, Maldives, South Korea,Belgium, the Middle East,Germany,The Netherlands and Seychelles.

Minister of Health and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, participated as the Chief Guest in the exhibition, and he stated that the boat and marine industry, which was very small about 30 years ago, has developed rapidly and become a major sector that brings foreign exchange to the country. Additionally, the Minister added that the Sri Lankan boat manufacturing industry has been able to show the world the capability of producing boats of the highest quality in the world.

Minister of State for Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chalaka Gajabahu, Chief Executive Officer of Export Development Board Kingsley Barnard, Chairman of Chamber of Marine Industries Kaushal Rajapaksa, ambassadors, local and foreign investors and a large number of people were present for the opening of the exhibition.

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa

Seylan Tikiri, the renowned Children’s Savings brand of the country, is proud to announce its recent collaboration with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to organise a field visit to the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe. This exciting excursion was designed to captivate the hearts and minds of the Societies’ Wild Kids, fostering an appreciation for nature and wildlife.

The event commenced with an informative presentation by the dedicated doctors at ETH, who shared invaluable insights into the behavioural patterns of elephants and the commendable work being carried out at the transit home. The young participants were then taken on a journey to the veterinarian’s facility, where they had the privilege of witnessing two essential treatment procedures, providing them with a firsthand look at the care and dedication required to protect these majestic creatures.

One of the highlights of the day was the heartwarming experience of feeding the baby elephants. This activity was met with enthusiasm and joy by the children, reinforcing the importance of conservation efforts and nurturing empathy towards wildlife. As part of their commitment to community engagement, the children participated in a community service project, demonstrating their dedication to preserving the environment by cleaning the parking lot at ETH. This initiative served as a valuable lesson in environmental responsibility and teamwork.