SLASSCOM CIO Forum aims to create a knowledge economy

With the aim of creating a knowledge economy in Sri Lanka, the second SLASSCOM Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council meeting will be held on 24 March 2011 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

The event, organised by the country’s premier IT-BPO body SLASSCOM, is being managed by global enterprise solutions provider IFS, and is sponsored by Dialog Telecom and MphasiS Sri Lanka.

The organisers expect over 250 CIOs and heads of IT to attend the meeting, while the Secretary to the Treasury, Finance and Planning Ministry, and Economic Development Ministry, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera will deliver the keynote address on ‘Sri Lanka – Beyond 2011, and the industry’s role for a knowledge economy’.

According to SLASSCOM Board Member and IFS South Asia Vice President Jayantha De Silva, the CIO Council meeting is the ideal platform to bring the users and producers of IT together in order for them to voice their thoughts on the future of the industry.

“For any industry to be successful you must have cooperation between the industry layer, represented by SLASSCOM, and the operational layer, represented by the CIOs and heads of IT,” De Silva explained, “The CIOs are the ones who put the model into action, and thus, it is very important that we work closely with them.”

His view was echoed by the two main sponsors. According to Dialog, the firm is excited to be a part of the annual SLASSCOM CIO council meeting – a key forum that aims to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the IT/BPO industry.  

“We believe that the IT/BPO industry in Sri Lanka will play a pivotal role in helping the country achieve its economic potential.  As a key ICT solutions provider in the country, Dialog Axiata, along with its parent company Axiata Berhad, has made the required investments domestically and internationally in order to provide seamless, secure and cost effective connectivity that will help the IT/BPO industry compete on a global basis.”

Major IT/BPO firm MphasiS, also expressed its support for the CIO forum. “MphasiS is delighted to partner with SLASSCOM for the annual CIO council.”

According to MphasiS, “Sri Lanka has a rich and untapped employable talent pool, strong infrastructure and a great attitude to work with.  The sustained coalition of all these attributes has already proven to provide unmatched service to our global clientele. MphasiS’ investment in Sri Lanka is a testimony to our commitment to the development of the country’s IT landscape. We hope this partnership fuels our growth in emerging markets.”

SLASSCOM represents the IT-BPO industry of Sri Lanka. It acts as the catalyst of growth of the Sri Lankan IT and BPO industry by facilitating trade and business, propagation of education and employment, encouragement of research and innovation, and by supporting the creation of a progressive national policy framework.