Affordable vehicles from Japan-based Lankan exporter

Shirajiv Sirimane

VEHICLE IMPORTS: A Sri Lankan motor export company, Rama DBK, set up 18 years ago in Yokohama Japan has today become the first foreign company in Japan, to be appointed to the Executive Board of JUMVA, an arm of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in Japan.

President CEO, Rama DBK, Jagath Ramanayake said the company was set up on September 14, 1995 by the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters' Association. "We have achieved many milestones in the past including Rama DBK acquiring two five-storeyed buildings in Yokohama Japan. In addition we also have our own yard to park our entire certified vehicles for export," he said.

The yard of Rama DBK is located close to the second largest port in Japan Yokohama. "We have provided many employment opportunities too for many nationalities working with us including a number of skilled Sri Lankans employed at Rama family," he said.

Rama DBK Japan started the business in Japan targeting the expatriate community who could not afford to get a brand new car. "A major problem they faced was the language barrier as then most of the car companies were owned by Japanese," he said.

"We addressed this issue by becoming one of the first companies in Japan to provide affordable vehicles using total 100% e-commerce solutions. (Quoted as InterFM radio in Japan in 2004 December) Our customized website www.ramadbk.com included all details of the vehicles including the chassis numbers, multi angle pictures including interior," he said.

"Many professionals buy from Rama DBK as we provide an up to the door service," he said. "Car is not a luxury item and it's rather an essential item and the imports of Japanese motor vehicles into Sri Lanka are not restricted due to the increased tax. "However the Government must look at the luxury tax which is very high," he said.

"The duty component and the tax system that is in place in Sri Lanka is very complicated and very shady. It has to be made less complicated and easy to understand by anyone.

"Sri Lanka should have a proper policy on tax system. On most occasions tax on imported motor vehicles are increased overnight. So many become helpless and we have noticed many dealers have gone bankrupt," he said.

Car auctions in Japan have very rigid and tight procedures to inspect the car. They assure the mileage of the car as genuine and roadworthy. "This is by having an auction grade varying from grade 1 to 6 and we purchase higher grade cars and our parent company in Sri Lanka which is Ramanayake Automobiles has earned a high reputation as a genuine car dealer in Sri Lanka," he said.

The company today has diversified to outsource IT development work to Sri Lanka and also has a licensed travel and tour operator arm focusing inbound and outbound tours. "It is very difficult to have a travel company in Japan as it needs a large investment," he said.

Their online shop - Rama Ten - have identified nearly 72 products qualified to go to the export market and it provides online shopping for Japanese buyers to buy direct any Sri Lankan product and Service using the internet which is one of the most popular methods used by many Japanese customers.

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan in terms of population and business next to Tokyo which is the capital in Japan. More than 3.27 million people live in Yokohama, Its total production output is valued at Yen 9 trillion ($72 billion), or Yen 3 million ($24,000) per capita.

There is huge support from the city government for investors looking to invest in Yokohama. He said that Japanese businessmen are very keen in doing business in Sri Lanka and they are keen on IT, biotechnology, images, convention, environment, health care, welfare, high-tech, design industries.

As one of the oldest companies located in Yokohama Rama Group provides business consultancy services between Japan and Sri Lanka and we are even ready to act as a guarantor to Lankan companies as a service to the nation.

"With over eighteen years experience we have developed a network of individuals and companies and we are ready to act as a go between Lankan companies," he said.

Rama DBK Ltd and Rama Group Head Office is located in Kanagawa Ku-Yokohama Japan and could be obtained on jagath@ramadbk.co.jp. Rama DBK is the parent company of Sri Lanka Ramanayake Automobiles at Ratmalana.