27^th February 2023

Photo Caption:

1. Baurs Deputy General Manager of HR, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability, Ken Vijayakumar

A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., also known as Baurs, a leader with diversified interests across various business verticals in the country, is gearing up for organization-wide people transformation initiatives that are centered around the new workplace norm, to build existing capabilities and be better prepared to take on new challenges.   

Spearheading all employee experience efforts at Baurs is none other than versatile business and people’s professional, Ken Vijayakumar in the capacity of the company’s Deputy General Manager of HR, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability Ken is also the current President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM), the leading professional body for human resources management in the country. Ken was recently recognized as the Most Outstanding HR Business Leader of the year 2022 by the CEO Magazine Sri Lanka. 

Baurs recently introduced a child support benefit for the first time in Sri Lanka, which can immensely benefit its employees in the midst of accelerating economic challenges. The company continues to stand by its employees at all times, as displayed on numerous occasions previously including during the height of the pandemic by ensuring job security including various philanthropic donations and psychological wellbeing programs. 

Some of its initiatives include 15 days paternity leave, employee assistance programs including those related to relief, priority for internal talent mobility when newer opportunities arise, swift onboarding and integration programs including valuable welcome packs, value boxes where one could purchase daily snacks from a self-serving facility, etc. Baurs pursue active listening, engaging and recognizing its colleagues’ milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries and achievements through internal channels such as Yammer, in addition to having an active social media presence for higher employee value proposition.

An employee’s growth and success are based on the famous 9 block grid which takes into account one’s performance as well as potential, allowing greater transparency and removing any possible biases that stands on the way including those of the supervisor. 

Last year, Baurs also launched the Baurs Leadership Grooming Programme (BLG) with the aim of providing comprehensive training and development for employees, preparing them to take on future leadership roles, propelled by its rigorous expansion poised by dynamic business growth. Baurs also partners with AIESEC Association internationale des étudiants en sciences économiques et commerciales (International Association of Students in Economics and Business) to promote youth leadership among university students and create career opportunities through planned internship placements. 

The company strongly believes in one’s personal growth and encourages employees to pursue higher education and attain professional qualifications. Those in the managerial and categories above are also encouraged to obtain membership of various professional bodies both locally and internationally, including taking up office bearer positions among such. They are also groomed with specialized corporate and social etiquette programs. 

During April last year, Baurs also officially incepted the Baurs Toastmasters Club (BTC) under the guidance rendered by the long-standing Colombo Toastmasters Club, and the membership is borne by the company as well. This allows employees to equip themselves with the skills and confidence in developing their public speaking abilities and a wide array of communication etiquettes.

Baurs believes in equal opportunity employment and has a company-wide DEI policy ensuring that all its employees indulge in a culture that inculcates respect, honesty and integrity. In 2021, Baurs committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative and its principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. 

Sri Lanka has been enjoying friendly relations with the UAE in all spheres including trade, investment, tourism and economic cooperation and that the total turnover in bilateral trade between the countries has now crossed US$2 billion.

The cordial relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE are based on trust, mutual understanding and friendship. The UAE is the largest export market for the Sri Lankan products and the largest source of imports to Sri Lanka in the GCC Region, foreign ministry sources said.

“The expanding mandate of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai is focused on continuing to promote Sri Lanka’s trade, investment, tourism and employment interests in the UAE while catering to the needs of Sri Lankans living and working in the UAE in every possible way,” foreign ministry official added.

He mentioned that the dynamism displayed by the entrepreneurs of both nations was a distinct feature in the enhancement of commercial relations between the two countries during the recent past.

A number of Sri Lankan companies have been participating in the Gulf Food exhibition, Arab Health, Arabian Travel Market and other major trade events on a regular basis with a view to furthering business links.

“Moreover, the outbound tourism from UAE to Sri Lanka has also seen a remarkable growth in the last few years, as Sri Lanka has become a very attractive destination for holiday makers and leisure seekers.”

“100,000 people from different nationalities from the UAE visit Sri Lanka every year, of which around 10,000 visitors were Emirates.

Referring to several mega projects that are underway in Sri Lanka such as the Colombo Port City, he said that just as the UAE was the trade and tourism hub in the GCC region, Sri Lanka aimed to become a similar hub in the South Asian region.

The first session of the Joint Committee for Consular Affairs (JCCA) between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates was held in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 22 February with the participation of official delegations, representing Sri Lanka and the UAE.

The meeting was conducted, as per the provisions of the Memorandum of Understating (MoU) signed between Sri Lanka and the UAE in November 2017.

The respective delegations comprised officials representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other vital line ministries and agencies.

The meeting focused on a wide range of mutually important consular related areas, including human smuggling and human trafficking, illegal migration, deportation and repatriation of nationals in custody of both countries and expediting compensation payment to eligible persons. Both delegations agreed to enhance cooperation in combating human trafficking, including by sharing information.

The UAE delegation also made a comprehensive presentation on the existing labour laws and regulations, with an emphasis on the rights of employees, the procedure to be followed in notifying authorities when labour contracts are violated, and providing relief to affected persons.

It was also decided to include the updated UAE labour regulations in the SLBFE training modules, with a view to educating prospective migrant workers, in the UAE.

The heads of delegation emphasized the importance of continuing the interactions on mutually agreed matters at the JCCA sessions as per the provisions of the MoU and assured the implementation of the decisions arrived at the JCCA.

Srilanka is to explore business opportunities in African countries, studying carefully and entering cautiously into the African continent with a total population of 1.3 billion and a combined GDP of over USD 2.6 trillion, beneficial for foreign policy makers and businessmen.

Business wise, the recent Sri Lankan Airlines direct connection to Nairobi is beneficial. It will support business relations beyond Kenya with the pan-African flight connectivity of Kenyan Airlines.

Also supporting business diplomacy are 6 Sri Lankan diplomatic missions believed to be sufficient based on trade and investment priorities in Europe and Asia.

While resource constraints suggest this limited number is understandable, it would be unfortunate if wider resident mission connectivity in Africa is perceived better left to the big guns in the global arena.

A few Sri Lankan companies have grasped opportunities in Africa. Apart from tea exporters, companies that come to mind include Neil Marine, Hela Clothing and the rapid African expansion planned by LOLC’s microfinance operation.

Sri Lankan mini hydro companies have set up projects and the African Continental Free Trade Area could benefit its manufacturing outward investors.

As part of the Foreign Ministry’s Economic Diplomacy initiative, a Business Forum to expand and intensify Sri Lanka’s presence in the African continent was held at the Foreign Ministry this week under the patronage of Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry.

The meeting brought together over 50 business leaders representing the sectors of apparel, pharmaceuticals, construction, finance, manufacturing, renewable energy, vessel manufacturing, logistics, FMCG, confectionery and tea along with leading Business Chambers.

The forum was a follow-up to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “Look Africa” orientation which was initiated during the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence. In parallel, the first Sri Lanka-Africa Business Forum was held on 3 February 2023 at the Foreign Ministry to coincide with the 75th Independence Day Celebrations of Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, opening the follow-up forum, emphasized the timely nature of the Government’s policy to reinvigorate, accelerate and amplify Sri Lanka’s political and economic agenda in Africa and stressed on the importance of strategising a closer economic narrative to build synergies with countries in Africa.

The Minister further stated that Sri Lankan entrepreneurs should look at the targeted priority sectors where Sri Lankan companies have a comparative advantage.

Price Water house Coopers made a presentation on the potential sectors for Sri Lankan companies to look at gaining a foothold in the African region for a stronger economic partnership and a representative from LOLC Holdings elaborated on their success in the micro finance and financial sectors in the African region.

Africa’s Honorary Consuls based in Sri Lanka were also associated with the forum. A large number of leading business leaders and companies seeking to share and expand their experiences in the African continent were active participants.