SLASSCOM hosts multiple events in Norway, Sweden coinciding with PM’s visits

Tuesday, 2 October 2018 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Delegates at Kista Science City, Sweden

The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) will host multiple events in Norway and Sweden with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is visiting Oslo from 3 to 5 October accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa.

The ICT Investment Roundtable is planned for 5October and is organised by IKT Norge (ICT Norway), SLASSCOM and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo.

The opening address will be delivered by the Prime Minister. Other speakers include SLASSCOM Chairman Jeevan Gnanam, IKT Norge CEO Heidi Austlid, Netlife Research Founder Jostein Magnussen, Tiqri CEO Finn Worm-Petersen, 99X Technology Chairman Dag Honningsvag, Embla Innovation CEO Stein Inge Haaland and Calcey Technologies Founder and CEO Mangala Karunaratne.

The industry and company presentations will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Honningsvag. SLASSCOM will also host a Business Networking Event on 3October in association with IKT Norge and the Seafood Exporters Association at The Gallery, Mesh for business leaders and visiting delegates.

Gnanam and delegates from multiple SLASSCOM member companies also participated in the Oslo Innovation Week held during 23-28 September. Three startup companies – Park and Pay, SixerVideo and Tracified – selected through DisruptAsia 2018 were also given the opportunity by IKT Norge to be highlighted on a global stage at the Oslo Innovation Week.

Meanwhile, SLASSCOM in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Sweden hosted an event on 1October to promote the ‘Island of Ingenuity – Sri Lanka Knowledge Services’ brand, at the Embassy in Stockholm.

The event was held as part of the Economic Diplomacy Program of the Foreign Ministry led by Additional Secretary – Economic Affairs and Trade Ravinatha Aryasinha and was organised by Ambassador Designate to Sweden Sudantha Ganegama Arachchi, Sri Lanka Embassy in Sweden Chargé d’affaires Harsha Vithanaarachchi and Sweden-Sri Lanka Business Council Secretary General Leif Ohlson.

At the event, Gnanam spoke on the world-class talent and collaboration opportunities in Sri Lanka for Swedish software development companies, corporates and SMEs. Ohlson elaborated on some of the challenges facing the Swedish technology industry and Sri Lanka’s potential to address them. Multiple case studies highlighted this relationship over the years.

Senior Vice President Research and Development Thomas Sald presented a case study on IFS, a Swedish IT company operating in Sri Lanka since 1997, which currently employs over 1,000 knowledge workers.

Creative Software Business Development Manager Klas Arvidson presented a case study on Cambio Healthcare.

During his visit, Gnanam will also engage in discussions with local trade chambers and visit the Kista Science City.