activities with the successful IPO concluded in January this year.
The company will be moving to export concentrated tea extract to the
Far East, HVA Group Chairman Rohan Fernando told Daily News Business.
"The first consignment will be shipped in end this month or early
September. The company will commercially expand the iced tea plant to
further venture into other markets," he said.
The concept of Heladiv Tea Club (HTC) to initiate the cafe franchise
will be carried out with the setting up of outlets here and abroad. At
present, there are 20 franchise tea cafes in China under a joint venture
project and plans are under way to set up more outlets in different
locations. There will be more HTCs in other parts of the world including
Sri Lanka.
The first Sri Lankan HTC will be opened next month or early October
in a central location in Colombo.
A joint venture tea packaging plant is being set up in Oman to serve
Middle East countries. As Oman is centrally situated in the region there
will be more business opportunities, he said.
The concept of tea cafe will be an innovative move for our country
and HTC will provide an unusual tea experience for local consumers.
There will be digital panels on display showcasing stock market news,
tea ceremonies around the world and more to develop tea culture in the
country with a combination of activities related to tea.
"We will also serve coffee, a special variety which is the oldest
coffee in the country. This product will be named as Colombo Bean with
plans to promote local beverages among the people, especially the
younger generation," Fernando said.