BIZ

Sri Lankan start-ups ace at SolarX Startup Challenge

Published

1 month ago

December 11, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka has emerged as the country with the highest number of winners at the SolarX Startup Challenge (Asia-Pacific Chapter).

The Challenge launched at COP 28 by the International Solar Alliance in collaboration with Invest India is committed to identifying and fostering innovative solutions in the solar energy sector.
This year, the Challenge has identified top 20 startups from across Asia-Pacific, including Sri Lanka, Australia, Papua New Guinea, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Four of the twenty selected start-ups are from Sri Lanka. These start-ups were introduced to the Challenge in a workshop organised by High Commission of India earlier this year, in partnership with Invest India and the International Solar Alliance.

The following winners from Sri Lanka have been awarded grants of USD 15,000 each, alongside acceleration support encompassing mentorship, investor connections, and market access opportunities.

Bio Lanka Exports (Pvt) Ltd : Bio Lanka Exports offers eco-friendly, solar-powered container homes, minimizing material use and construction waste for residential and commercial needs.
Magicbit Pvt. Ltd. : Magicbit provides an open-source, real-time monitoring and analytics platform for solar energy, integrating IoT, cloud, and AI technologies for high scalability and real-time visibility.
Syntax Genie (Pvt) Ltd : Syntax Genie’s AI-driven platform optimizes solar mini-grid management, addressing energy poverty in remote Asia-Pacific areas with scalable and sustainable solutions.
Bluechip Technologies Asia : Bluechip Technologies leverages AI, IoT, GPS, and drone technology to optimize solar project deployment across the entire lifecycle, ensuring efficient site selection and planning.

Invest India is organising the second round of the SolarX Startup Challenge workshop in Colombo on 12 December 2024. This Physical Acceleration Workshop will be a capacity-building event to further empower startups in the renewable energy sector with mentorship sessions, interactive discussions, and pitching opportunities. It will also feature field visits to solar and renewable energy facilities in Sri Lanka, providing startups with hands-on exposure to the local ecosystem.

BIZ

SL President holds talks with globally renowned Chinese companies (Pics)

Published

4 hours ago

January 16, 2025

editor

During his four-day state visit to China, President Anura Kumara Disanayake held a series of strategic discussions with several globally acclaimed leading Chinese corporations following his participation in an investment forum organized by both public and private sector entities in China.

Among the prominent companies involved in these discussions were the China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), China Petrochemical Corporation (SINOPEC Group), Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC), Huawei and BYD Auto.

President Disanayake highlighted the investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka and assured these corporations that the government is committed to providing all necessary facilities and support to investors to foster a business-friendly environment.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also participated in these significant engagements.

(President’s Media Division)

Mr. Wang Tongzhou – Chairman – China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC)

Ms. Shi Dai – Director and President – China Merchants Group (CMG)

Mr. Ma Yongsheng – Chairman – Sinopec Corp

Mr. Jeff Wang – Senior Vice President – Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

BIZ

Tamarind prices skyrocket

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

editor

A shortage of tamarind in the local market has led to retail prices soaring above Rs. 2,000 per kilogram in the Hatton area, reports say.

The retail price of a Tamarind kilo previously ranged from Rs. 350 – Rs. 400.
According to traders, the shortage is attributed to a poor tamarind harvest this season.