Sri Lankan IT-BPM delegation visits Sydney for market expansion

In collaboration with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Sydney, seven IT-BPM companies led by Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) visited Sydney from 28-30 November on an accelerated market access program to facilitate and support the IT industry in Sri Lanka.

Under the Economic Diplomacy Program initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lankan Consulate office in Sydney had arranged Business Networking for the visiting IT Delegation on 28 November. The main objectives of the networking event were to showcase Sri Lanka’s knowledge services industry as well as to present opportunities available for Australian software companies to collaborate with Sri Lankan counterparts. Consul General Lal Wickrematunge, Consul Commercial Abdul Raheem and ICTA Project Manager spoke at the occasion and the visiting members of the delegation had the interacting session with invited companies. 

Consulate Office also arranged a familiarisation visit to the Computer Department of the Macquarie University for the Sri Lankan delegation on 30 November. Presentations were made by Prof. Christophe DOCHE, Executive Director/Optus Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub, Prof. Margarat Hudson, Director Macquarie Park Innovation District and Prof. Michael Sheng, Head of the Computer Department. Members of the Sri Lankan IT Delegation were briefed about ongoing IT innovations in Australia.

In association with Thesalesdesk, a Consultancy Agent, ICTA also arranged a matchmaking meetings and B2B sessions for the Sri Lankan companies on 29 November. ICTA Project Manager Sachindra Samararatne made a detailed presentation on IT industry sector in Sri Lanka and opportunities for Australian companies to partner with Sri Lankan counterparts. CAMMS Managing Director Joe Collins, who has his business operations in Sri Lanka spoke about his experience running a business venture and the enabling environments in the country.  

Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM sector tripled exports and doubled the workforce in the last five years. Total earnings from the ICT sector amounted to $920 million in 2017, an 8 percent growth over the previous year and the fifth largest export segment. The software services sector includes telecommunications, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) and software testing. The BPO sector includes financial and accounting services, investment research, engineering services, and UK-based legal services.

Sri Lankan IT delegation to Sydney, Australia include Softcodeit Solutions Ltd., 27/7 Techies Ltd., Inexis Consulting, hSenid Business Solutions, PayMedia Ltd., i-Context Content Convergence Ltd., Data Management Systems Ltd. and Projects Managers Nilan Thimbiripola and Sachindra Samararatne of ICTA.