Prime Minister to address NCE Forum on IT and its role in modern organisation

The National Chamber of Exporters will be organising a Forum to discuss, Information Technology and Its Role in the Modern Organisation, also to highlight the potential for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in Sri Lanka, and assistance available to entrepreneurs. The Forum will be held at the Main Ballroom of Hotel Galadari Colombo on 6 June from 9 a.m. onwards. 

Sri Lanka is progressing towards an upper middle-income country, and the number of enterprises in the ICT sector is on an upward trend, making ICT a rapidly growing industry in Sri Lanka. There are over 300 local ICT companies which export software products and services to several countries. Further the ICT and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector has tripled exports, and has doubled the work force in a little over five years. According to the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) strategy document for 2016, the sector has grown by 120% over the past five years making it one of the highest growth areas in the economy, and the 5th largest export segment in Sri Lanka. 

At the briefing to the Prime Minister by the Officials of the Chamber regarding the Forum, he commended the Chamber for creating awareness regarding the potential of the ICT sector and the assistance extended to the sector by the Government through this Forum; and encouraged the Chamber to push this initiative by working very closely with the ICT industry.

He outlined the proposal of the Government to establish a Free Trade Zone in Weligama (Charlemont FTZ), both for manufacturing and the ICT industry, and the proposal to establish a separate specific zone for the ICT industry in Kandy. 

Further, the initiative under the “National Export Strategy” to boost the IT sector and to make it a $5 billion industry under the “vision 2022” of the Government was discussed. 

He commended the Champion Builder Programme, which aims to provide a platform for ICT Sector companies with potential to further go global and assist them in achieving the set target. He stated that the program would allow successful ICT companies to spearhead this target while supporting the entire ICT ecosystem.

NCE President Ramal Jasinghe states that the ICT sector has also been identified as one of the six priority sectors in the National Export Strategy (NES), for export growth developed by the Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the relevant Public and Private Sector Stake Holders. The National Export Strategy (NES) has been developed through extensive consultations which commenced from the First National Symposium held in April 2017 at Temple Trees, under the patronage of the Hon. Prime Minister. During these consultations, the Strategic Vision for Sri Lanka’s export growth which was developed: has been titled ‘Sri Lanka – An Export Hub driven by Innovation and Investment’. 

NCE Secretary General/CEO Shiham Marikar states that Information technology (IT) has become a vital and integral part of every business plan. From Multi-National Corporations who maintain mainframe systems and databases to small businesses that own a single computer, IT plays a vital role. The reasons for the omnipresence of computer technology in business can best be determined by looking at how it is being used across the business world. The invention of powerful online tools and faster internet connectivity has resulted in a novel commerce arena for E-commerce and Digital Marketing which substantial advantages to business organisations especially in terms of reaching global markets and for cost reduction. 

Lakmini Wijeysundara – Council Member of the NCE and also the “Most Outstanding SME Exporter” at the 2017 NCE Exports Awards states that the Government under its “IT initiative” will provide Rs. 3 billion over the next three years in both financial and non-financial support through Grants, Equity Investments, Credit Facilities, Mentoring, Technical Support, etc. to develop the sector including an allocation of Rs. 300 million for 2018, to be made available through the EDB, BOI, and SLASSCOM. 

Director Operation Menaka Wanniarachi states that the objectives of the forum are:

To create awareness of the potential of the ICT-BPO Sector in Sri Lanka 

To create awareness regarding assistance that will be available through the National Budget to existing stakeholders in the sector as well as “Startups”. 

To create awareness regarding the importance of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing for Sri Lankan enterprises 

She adds that digital marketing is so important, and provides Sri Lankan enterprises many benefits to get ahead of competitors, to go beyond boundaries. Menaka states that ECommerce and Digital Marketing has grown and developed so fast that its impact on businesses is many. Therefore businesses big or small have no option but to get on the ECommerce bandwagon. 

In regard to the structure of the Forum Menaka states that the Chief Guest at the Forum will be Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Guest of Honour will be Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Chairman Prof. Rohan Samarajeewa, who will deliver the keynote address. Further, special addresses will be made by the Country Manager of Microsoft and Country General Manager of Hewlett Packard (HP) on the benefits of Digital Marketing and e-commerce.  

The technical proceedings of the Forum will be followed by a panel discussion consisting of the following professionals, moderated by Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim: ICTA Chairman Prof. Rohan Samarajeewa, IronOne technologies Director/CEO Lakmini Wijesundera, 99X technology CEO and Co-Founder Mano Sekaram, SLASCOM Chairman Ruvindhu Peiris, zMessenger Ltd. CEO Jayomi Lokuliyana, KPMG Principal Tax and Regulatory Suresh Perera, Takas.lk CEO Lahiru Pathmalal and hSenid Chairman Dinesh Saparamadu.

In view of the importance of this Forum interested persons are kindly requested to confirm their participation by sending an email to [email protected].