CEYLINCO EYES ASIAN JOINT VENTURES

Sri Lankan-based Ceylinco Insurance is discussing a number of potential tie-ups in Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines, according to chief executive Ajith Gunewardena. The insurer has already entered into joint ventures in Nepal, Bangladesh and Qatar among others and Gunewardena cited the importance of an international presence in contributing to Ceylinco’s recently announced 32% growth in profit for 2006.