WB approves $ 11 m more for ICT enhancement project

Thursday, 2 February 2012 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The World Bank has approved a US$11 million concessional credit to Sri Lanka in the form of additional financing to assist Sri Lanka enhance its ICT services that would help gain a considerable competitive advantage in the region post becoming a Middle Income Country.

The implementing agency for this project is the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka.

Under the first e-Lanka project funded by IDA, several key laws were adopted over a five year period; ICT literacy was improved in the rural areas through the tele-center program; several key Government services to citizens have been automated, etc. The ICT sector has since reported substantial achievements, but further improvements in efficiency, capacity and expansion of services is needed both in the private sector and government, and these will be addressed through this additional financing for the E-Sri Lanka Development Project.

“The project is well-rooted in the middle-income agenda of Sri Lanka, has won many international awards and accreditations, and has achieved true change in the country’s global branding as an ICT destination and its competitiveness as assessed by international rating agencies," World Bank Country Director Diarietou Gaye said

"It makes sense to continue with the current momentum and address the unfinished business of this very ambitious project to which we are truly committed as a funding partner,” she added.

The objectives of the project are diverse and are aimed at enhancing growth and equity for the country through improved access and use of information and communication; access to and use of public services on-line by businesses and citizens and enhanced competitiveness of the private sector and in particular of knowledge industry and SMEs.

These objectives would be achieved by establishing an effective, citizen-centered and business-friendly government; empowering the rural poor, disadvantaged groups, women, and youth through increased and affordable access to information and communication tools; developing leadership and skills in ICT; and creating employment in the ICT industry and ICT-enabled services, as well as enhancing the competitiveness of user industries and services.

“Additional financing is intended to maintain the current project implementation momentum, but also to evaluate the progress made so far in ICT development in the country and to utilise the experience and skills gained during the last 8 years to develop ICT interventions that will enable the country to be more competitive in the region and the world wide,” said Henry Bagazonzya, Country Sector Co-coordinator, Finance and Private Sector and Task Team Leader for E-Sri Lanka Development Project.

Improvements to this sector will bring the country to the next stage of ICT development resulting in an overall better ICT operating and enabling environment in the country.