ICTA initiates registration of ICT based companies for availing of best opportunities

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has taken steps for the registration of companies engaged in the ICT industry. The registration of these companies is carried out by the Private Sector Development arm of ICTA. The primary objective is to provide prior knowledge about training programs, workshops, grant programs etc. In the past, companies, junior and senior level managers, trainers and entrepreneurs have benefitted through initiatives launched under the Private Sector Development Program of ICTA.

“A participant in the spiralation program which looks at cultivating entrepreneurship and creating technology startups, shared this thought: ‘Exposure given in the Spiralation workshops and in the Spiralation Ecosystem support, was very helpful for us to build a vision for the future. As mentioned on many occasions, now we know we have had a tunnel vision which had not properly evaluated the opportunities that existed. Thanks to these workshops and supports, we are now looking at the future in a different perspective,” says Sky Management Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. (SMSL). Since the launch of the spiralation initiative, which looks at supporting technology startup companies, 11 start-ups benefitted from the program.

They are now well on their way in expanding their products and services in local and global markets.  The continuous engagement ensured that the start-ups remained focused in their business and growth opportunities. The mentoring and other benefits act as a catalyst, SMSL added.

In addition to capacity development initiative, ICTA’s Private Sector Development program carries out many business missions for developing and promoting the local IT/ITES industry in overseas markets. One such mission held last year was CeBIT Australia 2011.The Sri Lanka delegation comprised 15 companies which included IT product companies, IT services companies, infrastructure services and a BPO.

The companies set out with the task of exploring the market potential, creating brand awareness and consequently to find buyers, partners or resellers. With regard to the mission a participant company, Microimage (Pvt.) Ltd., had this to say, “It was an excellent opportunity to understand the Australian-ICT Market. We managed to get good input towards the potential segments and general market dynamics.”

The ICT Capacity Building program of ICTA hopes to identify companies from all parts of the island so that the their efforts in nurturing IT/ITES companies can assist the industry which is poised to become a US$ 1 billion industry by 2016. Companies which are engaged in IT/ITES businesses are welcome to register at www.icta.lk/icbp to receive information related to ICTA’s Private Sector Development initiatives.