Harin showcases SL’s digitalisation strategy at WEF India Summit

Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunication Minister Harin Fernando speaks at the ‘Connected South Asia’ session at the World Economic Forum hosted India Economic Summit in New Delhi as Bharati Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal (left), moderator Observer Research Foundation Vice-President Samir Saran and Paytm Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma look on

Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunication Minister Harin Fernando last week showcased Sri Lanka’s key digitalisation strategy at the World Economic Forum hosted India Economic Summit in New Delhi.

He was part of a high-profile panel focusing on ‘Connected South Asia’ and how digital technologies can be fairly distributed to drive transformative impact for 1.7 billion South Asians. The overall theme of the WEF and Confederation of Indian Industry organised Economic Summit was ‘Fostering an Inclusive India through Digital Transformation’, which saw speeches from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama. The summit saw the attendance of over 600 participants from more than 30 countries.

The session in which Minister Fernando participated also featured India’s Law and Justice, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal and Paytm Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma. It was moderated by Observer Research Foundation Vice-President Samir Saran.

The discussion looked at broadening coverage in rural and remote areas, enabling cross-border infrastructure development and creating an environment for a competitive market.

Minister Fernando said countries needed to find innovative methods as opposed to traditional ways to ensuring socially and economically beneficial digital transformation. “Our Government is committed to this and rolling out a comprehensive digital strategy,” he said.

It was pointed out that digitalisation was key for developing nations to progress and become competitive. He said it was critical in developing countries to create proper awareness about digitalisation to ensure success of the roll out of digitalisation strategy.