FITIS to help members achieve greater success

By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka has taken proactive measures to enhance the contribution that digital technology can make to economic prosperity and emerge as global IT-BPO destination.

The industry is set to be one of the three key export earners in the country and with related facilities and quality human resources this could be achieved soon, Federation of Information Technology Sri Lanka (FITIS), Chairman Chintaka Wijewickrama told Sunday Observer Business.

The country needs to project itself as a destination for IT-BPO by improving knowledge, soft skills and correct attitude to attract more business. "We need to showcase our potential by way of exhibitions, international conferences and networking sessions," he said.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q. What are the benefits we can reap from the recent IT industry show 'India IT show 2015' in India and what is the follow-up action?

A. India is in the midst of a second IT revolution. Its first revolution was focus on exports. Today, its second revolution has understood the need to move up the value chain in the export sector, stressing on the importance of connecting the country digitally.

Programs such as digital India, egovernance, making India campaign and many other programs that run on IT backbone such as space, AaDHAR, financial inclusion and healthcare, can transform the Indian economic landscape. Similarly, we in Sri Lanka could also learn from their experience.

India's IT exports which accounts for 90% of service exports from the country worth around US $84 billion in 2013-2014 shows that the industry is resilient to external shocks.

It is also a testimony to India's strength in the knowledge industry. India IT Show 2015 was organised by electronics and computer software export promotion council which invited IT professionals of many countries to witness the strength and progress of India's IT sector.

Being present at the Indian show we learnt how we should focus on catering to the needs and demands of the IT services of developed and developing countries. We also explored the possibility of partnering with Indian IT companies in making total solutions.

Q. As a professional body, what action will the Federation take to develop the ICT industry?

A. FITIS, a not-for-profit, membership-driven organisation, is a prominent advocate of the expansion of Sri Lanka's innovative capacity and strong productivity across all sectors through the strategic use of ICT technology.

Membership of FITIS is open to all companies and organisations involved in the ICT industry in Sri Lanka.

We are committed to help members achieve greater success through advocacy, public policy, education, networking, professional development, events and business development opportunities in domestics and foreign markets.

There are many programs that FITIS has embarked on such as the ICT for elders program, ICT directory, Youth IT club, Industry fora and exhibitions (Infotel). At present, Sri Lanka's IT literacy rate is 35 percent. We have identified that the Sri Lankan population over 50 are mostly IT illiterate. If we can focus on this age group and provide them knowledge in IT, we believe they will be more productive people to society and we could increase the literacy rate to over 50 percent. At the same time they could also use IT for knowledge and entertainment.

We also hope to compile a comprehensive ICT directory comprising products, services, professionals.

We regularly conduct tech evenings, tech fora, competitions and training programs for the betterment of the industry.

Q. What abilities should we showcase to attract BPO and related business?

A. The Sri Lankan IT-BPM industry made significant progress over the past five years. Export revenue grew from US $ 213 million in 2007 to an estimated US $ 720 million in 2013. Employment grew from 33,700 in 2007 to an estimated 75,100 in 2013, and the number of companies in the industry grew from 170 in 2007 to over 220 in 2013.

We need to have more competent programmers if we are to be become a destination for solution providers. We should also stop the brain drain of qualified programs to other countries by offering good opportunities and perks.

Q. Could you give a brief overview of the local ICT industry at present?

A. The local IT industry has the potential to grow as we are getting closer to developed countries in terms of offering solutions. With the backing of the government and ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), FITIS, SLSCOM and EDB can expand and venture into areas which were not explored earlier.

Sri Lanka has a relatively high mobile-cellular penetration, which has more than doubled from around 27% in 2006 to over 100% by end of 2014. By the beginning 2014, the country's mobile penetration level was higher than world and regional averages.

The large majority (around 90%) of mobile cellular subscriptions in the country are prepaid. The percentage of the population covered by mobile cellular signals stood at 98% by the beginning 2011, with virtually all Sri Lankans now covered by a mobile cellular signal.

Sri Lanka's internet sector remains underdeveloped, with the take up rate of broadband services being low. But with smart phones getting popular this should change, especially with the surge in mobile broadband services.

We understand that according to Government policy, exports will be further diversified. Such diversification will make room for new fields of exports including information communication technology, a decision which we all salute.

Increasing ICT exports will directly boost GDP growth in many aspects - foreign remittances, curtailing white-collar professional migration, improve standards of living and most importantly provide a reasonable solution for youth unemployment.