Sri Lanka Brown & Co eyes energy saving market

Aug 12, 2008 (LBO) – Household goods retailer Brown & Company plans to import and promote energy efficient electrical items from India to meet growing demand in Sri Lanka where electricity costs are among the highest in the region. Brown & Company has signed an agreement with Indian electrical appliance manufacturer Havells to import energy saving ceiling fans, eco friendly fluorescent lamps and other household electrical goods.

Browns hopes to come to an agreement with Sri Lanka's environmental authorities to assist the importation of energy saving appliances, Ajit Devasurendra, director, Brown & Company told LBO.

"We are certainly talking to the Central Environmental Authority (CEA)¦" he says.

The CEA has planned to add a three rupee tax to every incandescent bulb over 40 watts to encourage the public to use energy efficient bulbs.

The authority expects to collect 500 to 800 million rupees a year from the environmental levy where the money will be used for conservation and to promote recycling.

"It is high time we all must realize and deliver to the world the most energy efficient products," Vijay Malik, vice president, Havells said.

The average household fan is used nearly 16 hours per day wit