George Steuarts goes global
Shirajiv Sirimane
George Steuarts Ltd, the oldest Sri Lankan company established in
1835 is looking at opportunities in China and India, its new Chairman
Jayantha Wimalagooneratne said.
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Wishes: Outgoing Chairman S. Skandakumar extending his good
wishes to the new Chairman Wimalagooneratne. Picture by
Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
Succeeding S. Skandakumar who was in office for over three decades,
Wimalagooneratne said they have planned strategic investments to achieve
multinational opportunity.
"We are looking at acquisition of a pharmaceutical company in India,"
he said. This move is planned for this year.
In addition he said they will also look to set up a joint venture in
China to market tea. He said they are looking at opening a outbound and
a inbound travel agency in Maldives.
Following the nationalisation of plantations, the company came to be
known for its business involvements and successes in airline ticketing
and inbound tours, import and distribution of pharmaceuticals, export of
tea, import and marketing of telecommunication equipment, recruitment of
professional, skilled and semi-skilled categories of employees of highly
placed principals, overseas in particular, consistently winning national
awards in the process," he said.
With the impending changes in the Directorate, the reconstituted
board will take office from today. Whilst major policy changes are not
envisaged, changes in the style of management to meet the challenges of
business locally and globally can certainly be expected.
"We recently set up a Steuart Centre in Galle and propose to
establish many like centres in other parts of the country as well to
reach out to the people," the new Chairman Wimalagooneratne said.
He would be the 21st Chairman in the company. With the establishment
of George Steuarts Philippines Inc. in the Philippines, more than a
decade ago, we became an international company and it is our focus now
to move towards making the group a truly multinational one. |
