Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Wednesday, 30 October 2024 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, in collaboration with the Export Development Board (EDB) Sri Lanka, organised the Sri Lanka Pavilion at Expand North Star 2024, one of the world’s largest startup and innovation platforms.
This premier event offered a unique opportunity for Sri Lanka to highlight the capabilities of 10 leading IT startups, underscoring the nation’s growing potential in the global technology landscape.
Sri Lanka’s participation in Expand North Star 2024 reflects the nation’s vision to position the country as a technology-driven economy. The event provided the Sri Lankan startups with exposure to potential investors, international partners, and customers, creating invaluable opportunities for collaboration. It also served as a key milestone in the ongoing effort to attract multinational IT companies to use Sri Lanka as a strategic gateway to the Asian market. By supporting startups and encouraging international tech collaborations, Sri Lanka aims to accelerate its digital transformation and unlock new economic opportunities for sustainable growth.
The Sri Lankan delegation took full advantage of various networking opportunities. On 14 October, the delegation participated in the “Pakistani Night @ GITEX”, organised by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai, engaging with investors and tech leaders from the South Asian region as well as from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The “Tech Biz Networking Event” co-hosted by the Iranian Business Council in Dubai and leading Chinese IT companies on 16 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, provided additional avenues to explore partnerships, exchange ideas, and connect with global entrepreneurs.
A series of targeted visits to leading incubators and accelerators in Dubai was organised by the Consulate General to explore opportunities for Sri Lankan startups. These visits offered insights into the support systems available in the UAE for startups, including mentorship, funding, and access to markets.
Key highlights include:
nDubai Silicon Oasis (16 October): The delegation met with Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Senior Vice President – Entrepreneurship and Technology Ecosystem Ghanim Al Falasi, Dtec CEO Hans Christopher at the DSO headquarters, gaining insights into Silicon Oasis’ innovation ecosystem and learning about collaborative opportunities in sectors.
nDubai SME at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (18 October): The team met with Business Incubation Department Director Abdel Aziz Al Mazami, and Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2) Senior Manager Youssef Lootah. The delegation learned about the comprehensive facilities and services offered by the Dubai Government, which include guidance on setting up companies, obtaining licenses, and understanding the various visa types available for entrepreneurs. Discussions were also focused on providing Sri Lankan startups with access to UAE-based incubators.
nMohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (19 October): The delegation explored the possibility of securing funding and mentorship through the UAE’s leading innovation fund Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), with a focus on scaling Sri Lankan tech solutions to global markets.
On 18 October, the Consulate General facilitated a business networking session in partnership with the EDB, the Sri Lanka Business Council to UAE (SLBC), and the Sri Lankan IT Professionals Association in the UAE (SLITPA). With over 120 participants, this session fostered dialogue between entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors, facilitating meaningful connections to support Sri Lanka’s technology sector. The assistance of SLBC and SLITPA, formed with Sri Lankan expatriates in the UAE, is instrumental in strengthening the digital industry and providing valuable support for the Sri Lankan delegation. Addressing the gathering, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera emphasised the Sri Lankan Government’s policy on advancing the digital industry, which aims to generate $ 5 billion in annual foreign revenue and expand the workforce to 200,000 by 2030. He also highlighted the establishment of four Digital Technology Parks in Sri Lanka as part of this initiative. Furthermore, the Consul General noted that the Government seeks to increase the annual volume of the digital economy from $ 3.47 billion to $ 15 billion by 2030 and urged participants to support public-private partnerships in boosting Sri Lanka’s IT and BPO sectors.
Sri Lanka’s participation in Expand North Star 2024 underscores the nation’s commitment to becoming a key player in the global tech ecosystem. Through interactions with global investors, accelerators, and business leaders, the delegation has opened new doors for Sri Lankan startups to grow, scale, and thrive in international markets.
While expressing its gratitude to all partners and participants who contributed to the success of this initiative, the Consulate General wishes to highlight that it will continue to act as brand champions and promote Sri Lanka’s tech industry in the UAE. The insights gained and relationships formed at Expand North Star 2024 will undoubtedly catalyse the growth of Sri Lanka’s tech sector, paving the way for a brighter, innovation-driven future.
