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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Microsoft to lend helping hand to Lanka Microsoft, the global IT giant, has come forward to assist Sri Lanka in key areas such as education, e-governance and web-based services. Microsoft's Managing Director for Emerging Markets of the South Asian Region, Ahmed Chami said the company is willing to cooperate with the Sri Lankan Government in the development of key areas such as education, infrastructure development in web-based services and assisting the Government in national policy making in information technology. Chami, who is based in Singapore, met Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently to brief him about Microsoft's agenda for Sri Lanka. This includes opening a regional office in Colombo shortly. He had also appreciated the initiative taken by the Government to introduce Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws in the near future, which will be an essential factor in attracting IT developers and major IT projects to the country. "Without IPR protection, no country can make the IT industry a reality" said Chami. Minister Karunanayake had briefed Chami on the differences between bringing legislation and national policy making and had said that creating the necessary business environment in the country is one of the major aspects of his portfolio. He emphasised that issues should also be looked in the third world dimension where under-developed countries should get the necessary assistance and guidance in the development of certain crucial ares such as education and health sectors. Chami said that Microsoft is considering introducing a licensing policy of different levels depending on the economy of countries and financial capabilities of the institution they are dealing with, adjusting themselves to the realities of the situation. "I do not see why a bank in Sri Lanka could not pay the same price for software as a bank in New York, but in the case of Government ministries which are not generating revenue, we should consider what type of licensing would be appropriate," he said. Minister Karunanayake invited Microsoft to try this new concept with his Ministry as a pilot project. Chami had also pointed out e-governance as another aspect where Microsoft could collaborate with the Government. He said the company had developed several software models for e-governance which could be used here as well. |
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