ICTA to empower prestigious ASOCIO 2012 and INFOTEL 2012

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) will be national partner to ASOCIO 2012 and INFOTEL 2012 hosted by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) this mid-November.

The Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) 2012, the regional IT summit will be held from 15 to 17 November at the Hilton Colombo, themed ‘ICT beyond borders’.

In the spirit of the same theme almost concurrently INFOTEL 2012 will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) from 16 to 18 November, 2012.

ASOCIO 2012 is set to attract over 500, including over 250 foreign delegates from 29 countries where local and international professionals will share their best practices in ICT. FITIS has organised a business matchmaking session to generate networking opportunities.

In the meantime, Infotel 2012 will showcase over 250 stalls including hardware, software, systems integration, ITES/BPO, office automation, telecommunication equipment, telecom services, ICT training, electronic media, gaming, medical electronics, e-citizen services and e-Sri Lanka initiative segments. Meanwhile, e-health and IT in agriculture are two new categories featured in this year’s exhibition according to the organisers.

Delegates the twin event will attract will include 22 members from SAARC and ASEAN regions and seven guest members from Europe and the Americas. The 22 guest members are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The seven guest members are USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Russia, France and Kenya.

Participating at the launch of the twin event cum press conference recently, FITIS Chairman T. Suresh said: “The present business environment is more apt for foreign delegates to take advantage of and make strong investment opportunities capitalising on the immense business opportunities available in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka has emphasised its special interest and attention on facilitating the ICT industry as it is one of the key drivers contributing for a positive economic shift.”

Expressing his gratitude to the support that offered by the Government and connected organisations, the FITIS Chairman said: “At this juncture, I would like to extend our heartiest appreciation to the Ministry of Telecommunication and IT, EDB and ICTA for their continuous support and guidance.”

ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura said: “These are both significant events in the ICT calendar of Sri Lanka and the ICT Agency is delighted to be participating in these mega occasions as the National Partner. The ICT sector in this country has developed and matured tremendously in the last five to six years. It has been a catalytic driver in development, has contributed to improving the quality of life of all our citizens, and has increasingly provided a recognisable boost to the economy – In other words the ICT sector has strived to lead from the front in Sri Lanka’s development efforts. This is one of the key reasons that international ICT events such as ASOCIO are coming to Sri Lanka. It’s a great recognition for a country such as ours, and it’s also a great standing for the entire ICT industry in this country. The ICT Agency as the apex Government body spearheading the e-development agenda in our country will continue to be dedicated to support the ICT industry, in its effort be a global ICT destination, as well as to foster ICT relationships and trade among the member economies in region for the benefit of all, hence our engagement in these important events as the National Partner.”

Highly appreciative of the current environment conducive for growth, thanks to restoration of peace, the ICTA CEO expressed delight at the appropriateness of the theme of the event: “Sri Lanka today, reaping the benefits of post terrorism peace, has seen ICT creating an enabling environment for the Government, for the private sector and for the civil society to grow and develop as individual sectors, as well as, as a nation. Information and Communication Technology has been that transformational tool that has broken down barriers, started creating a true cyber class, and brought in that inclusivity for all our citizens – it’s a great leveller, in other words. This is also why the theme of these two major events ‘ICT beyond borders’ is so significant and so appropriate.”

Recognising ICT-led transformation as a hallmark of success, the ICTA CEO said: “This growth that I’m talking about, has been vitally important, in our journey towards being a ‘Knowledge Hub in the Region,’ where ICT led transformation, will be the differentiator between success and failure. It is of great importance therefore, to take these successes further, to move the ICT sector, further forward, and eventually achieve the future goals and targets we have set for ourselves.

“The journey in becoming a Knowledge Hub in the region, is also about amassing a considerable amount of recognition, respect and prestige as a country, as an industry, especially among our global peers. That does not come easily. Significant international and national events such as ASOCIO and INFOTEL no doubt contribute immensely to that endeavour. It is also vitally imperative that these activities are continued for the foreseeable future, where this momentum, which we have built, is never diminished. Again I have to congratulate FITIS for accomplishing the great feat of conducting this flagship expo INFOTEL uninterrupted for the last 18 years, and contributing to this effort.”

“The Government of Sri Lanka has identified ICT as vibrant growth sector and has committed itself to the development of this industry. Many interventions in terms of policy, and many contributions in terms of resources, have been ploughed in by the Government to accelerate this effort. I’d like to mention that we are thankful to FITIS for giving ICTA the opportunity to partner with them, and I sincerely wish both ASOCIO 2012 and INFOTEL 2012 great success,” added Dewapura.