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Tuesday, 12 April 2016 01:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met and talked with Huawei Vice President Yao Weimin in Beijing.
“ICT and digitalization is the first priority of government economic development plan. We know Huawei is a leading global ICT company, we are happy to have Huawei helping build ICT capacity in Sri Lanka, and we encourage Huawei to increase investment in Sri Lanka in the future”, said the Prime Minister.
“Huawei is glad to bring its global experience in ICT innovation and its leading ICT technologies and solutions to Sri Lanka.” Huawei VP Yao Weimin said, “Huawei will help develop local ICT workforce, and accelerate mobile broadband penetration and development.
In this way we will help ensure high-quality, accessible communications services for all Sri Lankan citizens, especially those in rural and remote areas.”
ICT enables the transformation to a digital economy. It is now a key engine for growth in many industries, and represents the core competitiveness of a country. According to the Global Connectivity Index (GCI), ICT investment is closely related to GDP: A 20% increase in ICT investment will grow the GDP of a country by 1%. Sri Lanka is currently committed to developing its national economy, and Huawei is ready to work with Sri Lanka to develop its ICT sector. Huawei will share with Sri Lanka its global best practices and innovative ICT technologies, to deliver ICT that can support rapid, sustainable economic growth. Huawei will partner with local universities to set up a Huawei Authorized Network Academy, which will help Sri Lanka develop its own ICT professionals. Huawei will also launch the Seeds for the Future program in Sri Lanka. This year, Huawei plans to sponsor 10 university students for a two-week study trip in China. Students will have the opportunity to study the latest ICT technologies in Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, and experience global business operations and Chinese culture in a cross-cultural working environment. Program participants can acquire hands-on information about cutting-edge technologies and industry trends.
Huawei has been in business in Sri Lanka since 2005. As a leading provider of telecommunication equipment, Huawei has built partnerships with local carriers to serve 20 million local people. Huawei has also launched its new range of smartphones in the country, including the P8 and Mate 8. Huawei has more than 300 employees in Sri Lanka, of whom more than 70% are locals.
