ITC to facilitate Sri Lankan IT SMEs in international linkages

Over the past year, within the framework of the European Union (EU) funded EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance project, 20 ITO/BPO companies have benefited from training and advisory assistance by the International Trade Centre (ITC) on developing their Export Marketing Plans (EMPs). 

Sixteen companies have now fully completed and begun implementation of their EMPs. The consensus among these companies is that support received from ITC was instrumental in positively influencing their approach to business and export marketing.  These companies now have the opportunity to participate in business generating activities under the project, with the aim of building new business partnerships with European buyers. These companies will have the opportunity to attend three international business events this month. Ten Sri Lankan ITO/BPO companies are being supported to participate in CeBIT Hannover, taking place in Germany on 11-15 June. Of these, three companies will exhibit at the Scale11 start-up pavilion. In addition to having personalised exhibition booths, each company will have access to a start-up stage for live pitches and panel discussions, community areas, and activities such as business speed dating.  This will be a good opportunity for the start-ups to meet potential buyers and investors, as well as to learn more about crowdfunding, raising capital, pitching to media and other topics relevant for young companies. Moreover, eight companies will participate in a programme developed in partnership with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK) in Sri Lanka. In addition to scheduled B2B meetings, the program includes a guided tour of the Expo, a visit to the Hannover Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a roundtable discussion on how to penetrate the German market.

Fourteen companies will participate in the Sri Lanka Business and Investment Conclave on 19-21 June, organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. With the knowledge services identified as one of the focus sectors for investors, the companies will have a chance to meet with potential local and international business partners and investors. Three female-led companies will participate in the 2018 edition of SheTrades Global, taking place in Liverpool, UK from 26 to 28 June. SheTrades is ITC’s global initiative to connect one million women entrepreneurs to markets by 2020. The companies will have an opportunity to be part of facilitated business to business networking meetings, pursuing new market and partnership engagements. They will also have an opportunity to interact with other women in business from around the world, to share experiences, as well as to connect with and learn from notable global business leaders.