“We have recognized the ICT industry to be a key player in our exports. We a looking for $1 billion exports this year” voiced Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (18) in Colombo.
Minister Bathiudeen was acknowledging the update on ICT exports by top EDB officials on the latest ICT Value Survey.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), for the third time, has embarked on the survey of the ICT/ BPM export industry to capture the ICT export values for the years 2013 and 2014. The survey is expected to demonstrate the progress made by the industry and to highlight its growing significance as a top export revenue generator for Sri Lanka. This survey will specifically focus on the export value of the ICT sector for the years 2013 and 2014. While focusing on the capacity available for the industry, the survey also concentrates on the existing global markets.
The survey will be conducted in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
“Sri Lankan President’s 100 Day program aims at export promotion and GSP Plus recovery” stressed Minister Bathiudeen, and added: “We have recognized the ICT industry to be a key player in our exports development. We are looking for $1 billion exports this year. The 2013/’14 ICT Export Value Survey will show us the latest exports value. I urge all the ICT exporters of Sri Lanka to join and support us to find the accurate volumes.”
Mr. Bandula Egodage, Chairman and Chief Executive of EDB, stressed: “To evaluate the progress of ICT/BPM exports, we need to continuously measure the growth of it and its contribution to the country’s economy. The government has recognized the industry to be one of the key players in the Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Export Development Board expects that this survey will be instrumental in facilitating the industry to reach its highest potential. The results of the survey will be useful to assess the current status of the industry in relation to its competitors as well as be the basis for Government policy decisions in the future regarding the ICT industry”.
During the last five years, Sri Lanka’s global brand position improved significantly. AT Kearney ranked Sri Lanka among the top 25 destinations in their global ranking in the last three consecutive rankings. Gartner ranked Sri Lanka among its top 30 global locations. IBM, Tholons and several others ranked Sri Lanka at the top of their respective leader boards. To receive the “Outsourcing Destination of the Year” award from the National Outsourcing Association (NOA), UK twice in a row, was a true validation of the tremendous progress that Sri Lanka has achieved.
When such ICT initiatives are carried out by EDB, EDB is supported by the ICT/BPM industry, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka, Board of Investment, SLASSCOM, FITIS, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Faculty of IT – University of Moratuwa and School of Computing – University of Colombo.
In 2013, Sri Lanka ICT export revenues stood at $719 Mn. The sector saw growth of 123% over the last five years. London Stock Exchange and HSBC are among recipients of Lankan ICT support. Sri Lanka’s IT/BPM sector vision 2022 is to earn $5Bn in revenues, with 200,000 direct jobs and 1000 start-ups.
