SLASSCOM welcomes Budget proposals on IT-BPM industry

SLASSCOM, the knowledge and innovation industry chamber, said it welcomed the proposals put forward with regard to the IT-BPM industry by the Finance Minister in his National Budget 2022 speech. “These will help achieve the vision articulated in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ policy document,” it added.

Key highlights of the Budget proposals for the IT-BPM industry are:

• Laws and regulations that impede the inflow of foreign exchange earned by IT young freelancers
• Three new techno-parks to commence in Habarana, Nuwar Eeliya (Mahagasthota) and Kandy (Digana) by 2023.
• A fibre optic telecommunications network to be established islandwide covering 10,155 schools
• Review and revise conditions imposed on FDIs

SLASSCOM Chairperson Sandra De Zoysa said: “We are encouraged to see the proposals enabling the IT-BPM freelance workers and three additional technoparks. These proposals will create more inclusive opportunities for our youth and professionals in the IT-BPM industry through regional expansion and encouraging more female participation in our industry which are key focus areas for SLASSCOM. We eagerly await the proposed Finance Act which gives indication to strengthening FDI and enabling global expansion of our companies.

“We thank the Minister of Finance, State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development, Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Secretary to the Ministry of Technology, and the team at the Ministry of Finance for the continuous engagement over the past couple of months with the IT-BPM industry.”

SLASSCOM has organised a webinar on 16 November at 3 p.m. for a detailed analysis and panel discussion with Government and industry leaders on the implications and opportunities for the IT-BPM industry from the Budget 2022.