IT, BPO industry sets sights on $ 5 b export revenue, 200K employee target
Friday, 11 July 2014 01:02
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By Senuri De Silva
The country’s IT and BPO industry has set sights on a $ 5 billion export revenue and 200,000 employee base by 2022 reflecting a massive increase from the present levels.
The optimistic yet challenging forecast was revealed by the industry via the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) when it unveiled its first review report with Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera as the Chief Guest.
“Export revenue grew from USD 213 million in 2007 to an estimated USD 720 million in 2013,” SLASSCOM Chairman, Madu Ratnayake said. “Total employment grew from 33,700 in 2007 to an estimated 75,000 employees in 2013 and the number of companies in the industry grew from 170 in 2007 to over 220 in 2013," he added.
“The vision 2022 is to reach to USD 5 billion in revenue, create 200,000 direct jobs and 1,000 startups by 2022. The SLASSCOM Board and General Council have already started developing plans and bringing in partners to chart our way forward,” Ratnayake said.
Dr. Jayasundera however said “My numbers of slightly different,” adding, “I have a billion dollars in 2015 from the industry and 5 billion in 2020 not 2022.”
He also reiterated the importance of the industry’s contribution to the economy and illustrated its potential for growth by placing a much higher expectation in future goals.
Jayasundera also went on to speak of the Presidents vision for the future of the country saying,
“The president remains deeply committed to a vision to bring Sri Lanka to an advance income country by 2020 surpassing a $8500 income per capita, absolutely free of poverty and much more sophisticated infrastructure, transforming the whole education system to a much more skillful technology sensitive, high salary sensitive, decent lifestyle sensitive modern generation”
SLASSCOM Chief Ratnayake also spoke on future plans for the industry that is already proving to be a major contributor to the growth of the national economy saying,
“We witnessed a marked increase in new tech ventures starting up compared to the beginning of 2007. Now as we look forward to the next 10 years, we aim high to inspire the next wave of our growth. Industry stakeholders, government and academia have come together to reaffirm the commitment to next phase of growth with three bold goals.”
