RECOGNIZING opportunities to enhance collaborations in various fronts, Sri Lanka recently initiated a dialogue with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera, together with a delegation from her country, met with DICT chief Atty. Ivan John Uy and briefed him on Sri Lanka’s interest to work with the Philippines in the ICT sector, where, according to her, both countries can complement strengths and capabilities, particularly in e-government, e-commerce, business-process outsourcing, and software development.
Gunasekera elaborated on the growing interest among the Sri Lankan ICT industry to introduce their services, expand their network, and establish their presence in the Philippines.
A delegation from two Sri Lankan ICT companies led by Sanji De Silva of Bileeta Pvt Ltd. and Dinesh Saparamadu of hSenid Group of Companies also attended the said meeting. Speaking on behalf of their industry, the entrepreneurs discussed innovative solutions and products that Sri Lanka offers.
Meanwhile, Uy expressed his interest to study and explore the possibility of engaging further with the South Asian country in this sector. According to him, the new Philippine administration is in the process of finalizing its ICT-development agenda under the economic plan of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Sri Lankan ICT industry has already made its presence in the Philippines in various sectors. Companies like the two aforementioned, as well as FBC Asia Pacific, Tech One Global, among others, have already set up their operations serving clients from small- and medium-sized enterprises, up to the country’s biggest firms.
With the goal of further expanding engagements between the two countries in this industry, the Sri Lankan Embassy has been facilitating interactions, dialogues, and introductions between relevant stakeholders such as the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines or IBPAP and Sri Lanka Association of Software Service Companies, among others, to provide a platform to expand linkages, share best practices, and foster collaboration.
Further, the embassy, in its efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for Philippine-based IT-BPM companies, has facilitated the entry of foreign firms like EMAPTA, which has now established its operations in the country.
Moreover, the embassy has also tied up with the Center for International Education Global Colleges Inc. of the Philippines for an ICT-scholarship program for 500 Sri Lankan beneficiaries, which will be implemented through the Rotary Club of Colombo Reconnections and the Rotary Club of Makati Circle of Friends.
A lawyer by profession, Uy is an expert in technology law, computer forensics, cyber security, e-commerce and digital ethics, among others, with extensive experience in the public and private sector. He assumed the position of ICT secretary upon the inauguration of the new administration on June 30.
Image credits: Embassy of Sri Lankan FB
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