EWIS PC manufacturing plant to trigger new wave of ICT jobs in Hambantota
View(s):The EWIS PC manufacturing plant is set to offer a new wave of ICT jobs in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota,an official statement said.
Recently at an event, Hambantota Member of Parliament, Namal Rajapaksa handed out the factory’s first set of appointment letters to 50 local youth.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajapaksa outlined the country’s ICT vision for 2015 wherein the government aimed at growing the IT literacy rate from 35 per cent in 2012 to 75 per cent and increase broadband access from 12 per cent in 2012 to 60 per cent by 2015. Through this the government intended to create 80,000 knowledge based jobs and boost ICT based export earnings from US$40 million to $1billion by 2015.
“The government is working closely with the private sector towards realizing the goal of turning Sri Lanka into a regional IT hub. This PC manufacturing plant being set up by EWIS takes us closer to realizing our goal,” he said, in remarks released in a joint statement issued by EWIS and Intel.
Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, the Chairman / CEO of the EWIS Group said, “Encouraged by the Government’s commitment to drive economic development and education across the country through ICT and the market’s growth potential, we decided to set up this manufacturing facility.”
The 25,000 sq foot facility spread over a 3-acre property in Sooriyawewa would come under EWIS Colombo Ltd – a BOI company set up for this purpose. Providing direct employment to over 250 locals, the plant would be equipped to manufacture a wide range of computing devices including Tablets, Notebooks, Convertibles, All-in-Ones and conventional desktops.
Initial focus of the factory will be to manufacture products from the Intel Education Solutions product suite such as the Intel Classmate PC. These products are purpose built to meet the needs of students in emerging economies.
“Having worked with EWIS for over 10 years, we are glad to be able to offer our technical assistance to their new manufacturing plant. Such local manufacturing units have immense potential and we look forward to working with EWIS on this venture.” noted Indika de Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Limited.
comments powered by Disqus