IFS, a leading player in IT BPO sector soon

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The IFS will be a $ 1 b company earning the largest amount of foreign exchange in the country by 2020, said IFS Sri Lanka and South Asia, Managing Director Jayantha de Silva at ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of IFS in Sri Lanka.He said the company will be a leading player in the IT BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sector in the country by 2015 providing a large number of jobs.

IFS has been the number one ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) company in Sri Lanka for the past six years handling over 80 percent of development operations.IFS is a global enterprise solutions provider with a reputation for innovation and agile business solutions. The company was founded 1983 in Sweden. IFS set up operations in Sri Lanka in1997.

De Silva said that Sri Lanka is a major market for IFS with enormous potential for growth in the IT BPO sector.

Research and Development operations of IFS has been very successful in Sri Lanka due to the vast talent in the country.“The collaboration with the academia and the IT BPO industry has helped Sri Lanka to develop a vibrant IT sector in the country. IFS works with universities, local government institutions and a large number of private sector companies.

Currently Sri Lanka has around 60,000 IT professionals and 300 IT companies.

“Our operations have grown from 25 to over 750 members during the past 15 years in Sri Lanka. We will expand our reach and develop the IT BPO industry in Sri Lanka,” de Silva said.

“Lack of capacity to deliver $10 b in the next 10 years and marketing of Sri Lanka are major hurdles to expand operation in the country,” de Silva said.

He said that the notion among international companies that still Sri Lanka is not the best place to do business is a misconception. Over 20 companies have already come to Sri Lanka because of the vast talent pool in the country.

Sri Lanka Research and Development, Vice President Ranil Rajapaksa said that over 80 companies use IFS services in Sri Lanka.

He said that the company plans to present 20 scholarships to undergraduates next year and conduct workshops in schools across the country.IFS World Operations, President and CEO Alistair Sorbie said that IF has had 15 productive years in Sri Lanka. “The business has grown and we are pleased with the operations in Sri Lanka.” “The global business and IT landscape is changing. IFS will keep pace with the rapidly transforming business environment with unmatched solutions,” Sorbie said.