Sri Lanka featured for first time on UNCTAD Information Economy Report 2012

•  Etisalat Lanka listed for its contribution to local ICT industry

Today, the reach of information and communication technology continues to transform communities from across the world. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Information Economy Report highlights winning case studies and economies that have contributed towards this unprecedented growth and change. In 2012, the report’s focus is on the role of software development and its impact on economies.

At the head table from left: Dinesh Saparamadu, Chief Executive Officer of hSenid Group of Companies, Reshan Dewapura, Chief Executive Officer of ICTA,  Dumindra Ratnayaka, Director/Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Lanka,  Subinay Nandy, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator of United Nations Sri Lanka, Dr. Harsha Liyanage, Lead Consultant of eNovation4D, and  Isura Silva, Manager of Sarvodaya Fusion

The software industry is among one of the most progressive growth areas in post war Sri Lanka. New opportunities are continuously emerging in the domestic market as we move towards a software sphere linked to mobile phones, broadband and smart devices, creating demand for new space. Sri Lanka was selected to feature in the 2012 report, for its recent proliferation in the ICT industry and immense potential in Intellectual capacity and people skills.

Commenting on the occasion Subinay Nandy, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka, said: “The report is an indicator of the growth in the ICT industry across all 194 member countries of the UN. As highlighted in the report, amongst the South Asian countries, Sri Lanka has shown rapid growth and a strong export orientation in their software industry, indicating that it now has the expertise to support domestic market needs and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the mobile applications realm.”

Of the case studies featured in the report, the emerging android ecosystem in Sri Lanka emphasises on the Etisalat App developer business model. As one of the fastest growing mobile operators in the country, Etisalat continually invests in the smart device market to enhance data usage. Taking strides towards the development of the android developer community, Etisalat also launched a series of introductory programs for Android to help generate income and raise awareness among rural villages.

Special mentions were given to AppZone and Book Hub in the UNCTAD Information Economy Report 2012 for initiatives spearheaded by Etisalat Lanka. AppZone is Sri Lanka’s first independent third party mobile application platform. This initiative was partnered with Software solutions provider, hSenid who is providing the technology platform for the Developer Portal. It allows any Sri Lankan mobile application developer to create and sell their own applications.

This platform has opened doors to local application developers and entrepreneurs. Book Hub is Sri Lanka’s first online eBook store and eBook reader, launched in partnership with Microimage, a local-based technology developer and with M.D. Gunasena, a 100 year old book publisher in Sri Lanka. The eBook store hosts English, Sinhala and Tamil locally published works in an electronic format.

In September last year, Etisalat Lanka partnered with Sarvodaya-Fusion, the ICT arm of the Sarvodaya Movement to launch Etisalat Android Village Hub. The program is designed to create information and telecommunication resource hubs in villages with an aim of empowering and connecting communities using technology.

The pilot project of the Etisalat Android Village Hub was launched in the villages of Bathiyagama in Kantalai and the Niramisiya Sarvodaya Society in Naththandiya. Families identified by Sarvodaya-Fusion were trained on how to use Android tablets distributed by Etisalat, to understand and apply the internet to their day-to-day activities, driving internet penetration in the country and maximise on smart device applications.

Dr. Harsha Liyanage, Lead Consultant to eNovation4D, UK and Managing Director of Sarvodaya – Fusion was chosen by UNCTAD to contribute to the Information Economy Report 2012, to illustrate the Sri Lankan case study.

Dr. Liyanage commented: “Leveraging on the growth of Asia, Sri Lanka has now emerged a hub and stimulus for software development. Significant growth beyond 2004 has infused and helped our country to ride on this wave of change. Predominantly, the software industry was inhibited by HR trends, however the amalgamation of HR, infrastructure and education systems have collaboratively formed a strong platform for this industry. Case studies include government and corporate initiatives that have contributed towards the metamorphosis of the Sri Lankan ICT atmosphere. Sri Lanka’s unique story features a country case study on the software industry defining its perimeters through empowering people.”

Also commenting on the occasion Dumindra Rantnayaka, Director/CEO of Etisalat Lanka: “As we embark on another milestone, we are humbled that Etisalat was featured on the 2012 edition of the UNCTAD Information Economy Report for the first time along with Sri Lanka. Etisalat has contributed in integrating software into the country’s emerging knowledge economy, though continuously empowering the Android ecosystem in Sri Lanka. Through inclusion we help sustain communities, and extend our reach as we go beyond serving our customers, to serving our nation. Our aspiration for this country has taken us forward in making our endeavours a success and we will continue to propel the ICT industry through innovation.”