IT start-ups to boost country’s economy
A blueprint has been developed for the digital transformation of the country to achieve a US$3 billion export-revenue worth IT Industry by 2025 from the present $1.1 billion as innovation is featured highly in the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) agenda. “Our plan is to boost 60 percent of the IT Industry,” said CEO of ICTA Engineer Mahinda Herath at a recent webinar to launch the “ICTA 10,000 ideas” initiative to foster the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
He said during the post pandemic period the need to expand the technology innovation had become difficult not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.
Anura de Alwis, Chief Digital Economic Officer ICTA said the idea of the digital economy journey is important as tremendous transformation is taking place at this juncture. “We have to find the right ides and funnel them through international companies. There are areas that we look for such as technology, eco system development, developing technology for profitability and capacity building. Start-ups such as small and medium enterprises play a huge role in the process of developing technology. Even the developing countries follow the same concept. We have to go to schools and universities to find new seeds that will, in order to develop new technology, help us to contribute to the growth of the economy and need the help of the industry to achieve this goal.”
He said he was proud to set the stage for the next generation to thrive as successful entrepreneurs. Tech or tech-enabled businesses have a huge potential to succeed in the global arena with the level of assistance offered with ICTA partners. “We have implemented numerous ideation-level programmes through the strong network of 20 University Student Branches of IEEE Sri Lanka Section, including University Level Hackathons and National Level Programs like IEEE Innovation Nation Sri Lanka,” he added.
Director -Startup Eco System Development ICTA, Sachindra Samaratatne said the ICTA is working with multiple partners to support entrepreneurs in their initial journey to achieve their goal. Ms. Munuri Adasuriya-Hatch Head of Programmes said that more female entrepreneurs are needed in the IT industry with disruptive tech makers. Any dreamer from any walk of life should be given a fair chance to create a lasting change as Sri Lanka needs inventors more than ever before.
Ms. Abarnah Kirupananda – Yarl IT Hub, Organising Chair – Yarl Geek Challenge, said that the “10,000 ideas” launch is a great start to inspire youth to identify some crucial problems and to find solutions with the help of technology. A structured process which will be introduced through this programme will help someone to bring their ideas to life and start their own venture by providing guidance and mentoring. Once these companies start growing and scaling, they will create a lot of job opportunities. It is also crucial to take this to the rural areas of the island and to work at the grassroot level too.