The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), which exclusively provides services to the export sector, and represents them, works closely with all Product and Services sectors related to exports. The Chamber regularly discusses at its monthly Council Meetings, and highlights the various issues related to these sectors at Forums and Seminars conducted from time to time, with a view to making representations to the relevant State Authorities.
Most of the leading foreign exchange earning export enterprises are members of the Chamber.
The Chamber will conduct a Forum related to the ICT sector on June 6 at the Hotel Galadari, in collaboration with the key stake holders in the sector, to highlight its potential to become a USD 5 billion industry as envisaged in the ‘Vision 2022’ of the Government, creating 200,000 direct job opportunities, and enabling the launch of 1000 startups.
 Shihan Marikkar |
The National Exports Strategy (NES) which is to be presented to the cabinet shortly for approval has also identified the ICT Sector, among six key sectors for development to achieve the National Export Development and Economic Development Targets set by the Government.
The Government’s National Budget for 2018 under its ‘IT initiative’ will provide Rs. 3 billion to the ICT sector over the next three years by way of Grants, Equity Investments, Credit Facilities, Mentoring, and Technical Support for local startups, to attract foreign startups, create an enabling environment to support the establishment of incubators, as well as to enable SME IT companies to double their revenue in three years.
Also an allocation of Rs. 300 Million has been made for 2018 to implement various activities through the Export Development Board (EDB).
The NCE says the objective of the Forum is to create the necessary awareness among member companies of the Chamber in the sector, as well as non-member enterprises and potential entrepreneurs, regarding the opportunities in the ICT sector, as well as the assistance provided by the relevant stake sector institutions to enterprises and entrepreneurs in the sector.
The Chief Guest at this forum will be Ranil Wickremesinghe Prime Minister. which will see the participation of a representative gathering of professionals in the sector, business leaders as well as representatives of service providers in the State Sector.
The Prime Minister will address the gathering to outline the Vision of the Government for the Sector.
The guest of honour at the forum will be Prof. Rohan Samarajeeva, Chairman of the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) who will deliver the Keynote address.
This will be followed by a panel discussion comprising professionals in the sector, and representatives of relevant of Service Providers, to analyse and highlight the various issues related to the sector, and most importantly to create awareness regarding the opportunities available to enterprises and entrepreneurs in the sector. The Secretary General also stated that there will be other professionals who will speak on the subject in regards to E-Commerce and Digital Marketing.
NCE Secretary General Shihan Marikkar said that Sri Lanka is far behind other Asian Countries in terms of digital Marketing and e-Commerce. During this forum the reasons for this, as well as benefits Sri Lankan Enterprises could gain by transforming them in keeping with the present digital era, as well as the benefits that a company could gain through e-Marketing will be emphasized.
The Secretary General further stated that for Export Oriented companies in Sri Lanka their growth related to Digital Marketing is considered to be vital compared to all other marketing techniques.
The Secretary General Invites Entrepreneurs, business people from the IT and BPO including particularly the respective CEO’s to participate at this event to gain knowledge regarding the importance of their IT Department and their operations for the future growth of their business
The Chamber will issue a further communication with more details about this important forum, and the Secretary General urges all interested entrepreneurs and enterprises to keep the above date free and make use of this opportunity.