      Business Editor : Eriq Dewanarayana
As the International markets showed the signs of mild fluctuations within the week, global funds made their way into emerging market with growth potentials. The expected interest cut by US Fed may result in funds switching from fixed income into equity over the next few days. The week did not see any material changes in international markets except in gold prices which saw an upward trend despite a slow down in Asian economies, while crude oil prices moved in the opposite direction. Domestic Institutional support kept the Colombo Course alive during the week with the All Share gaining 21 points before closing at 511. The Sensitive Index increased by 38 points during the week. Turnover levels were kept to a minimum with retailers engaged in speculative trading. Foreign investors continued with their pessimistic disposals. The week ended with net sales of Rs. 77.91 million while total purchases amounted to Rs. 66.95 million and total sales Rs. 144.86 million. Though the month of July recorded a positive trade deficit after 30 months, the second quarter economic growth is not encouraging. The GDP projections for the year continued to be below 5% with the expectation that the third and fourth quarter will not change significantly. The tourism sector too continued to register negative growth while the coming winter is expected to be below the break-even for most companies. The expected rapid depreciation did not take place with the Rupee taking a strong stance against the US$ but depreciating against the Japanese Yen. The coming few months will be crucial for the country with a moderate slow down in the economy except in tea, which is going through a recovery process, and Garments, which is still moving in the right direction. The corporate performance has an outlook. The overall corporate earnings may record a moderate decline as against a somewhat bullish 1997. Market fluctuations on
the agenda MMBL Group Research The Human Resources Division of the FCCISL was started in 1993 with the objective of providing demand driven training to aspiring youth wanting to choose a career path or for those wanting to upgrade their skills in a competitive environment. Associated with training they have skilfully combined Career Guidance and Employment Location. Within a period of four years the Federation is today one of the largest if not the largest private sector Training Provider in Tertiary and Vocational Education and executes one of the most comprehensive Human Resource Development efforts in the country. This was stated by Mr. Patrick Amarasinghe, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka. (FCCISL) Elaborating further Mr. Nihal Rangala, Director, Human Resources Development commenting on the current series said. We usually have 3 series of Training Programmes for working persons each year but it was unfortunate that due to the disruption of the postal services in March this year we were very reluctantly compelled to postpone Series 2 to September. As such the following Programmes will commence as detailed below: 1. Practical English - Mondays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 12th October 1998. 2. Business English - Mondays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 12th October 1998. 3. Disciplinary Inquiry procedures - Tuesdays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 29th September 1998. 4, Intermediate Secretarial Practice - Wednesday 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) commencing 7th October 1998. 5. Advanced Secretarial Practice - Thursday 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 8th October 1998. 6. Export Import Procedures - Fridays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 2nd October 1998. 7. F and M. Accounting for Non Accountants - Saturdays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) commencing 3rd October 1998. 8. Personnel Management - Saturdays 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (16 weeks) Commencing 3rd October 1998. The HRD Division currently conducts the following types of Training Programmes mostly Management related. Programmes at Basic Entry Level for Unemployed O/level, A/level School Leavers. Enterprise based training for Employed Persons for Upgrading of Skills and developing "Multi Skills". Programmes for further training and retraining for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Disabled Soldiers of the Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defence. Customised training or "tailor made" programmes to suit specific needs. Programmes in Business Orientation to assist unemployed Graduates under the Tharuna Aruna Scheme initiated by Her Excellency The President. Programmes will also be launched to encourage persons retrenched under the privatisation programme to undergo retraining for further training. While all current programmes comprise Certificate Courses and Work Shops a Comprehensive Diploma Programme in Management has been designed and will be launched in mid 1998. This programme had to be postponed due to our commitment with the Tharuna Aruna programme, Distance Education and Self Pace learning will be introduced along with this series. Over 300 programmes completed In House Programmes have become increasingly popular and the Human Resources Division conducts Programmes in many parts of the country. Lecturers are experienced professionals and invariably work in an environment relevant to the subject they handle. This factor largely contributes to the quality and consistency of the courses in that both theory and practice are imparted professionally designed to better equip the participant working or aspiring to work in a competitive environment. |
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