World Bank support for ICT enhancement project

The World Bank has approved a US$11 million concessional credit to Sri Lanka in the form of additional finance to assist Sri Lanka enhance its ICT services that would help gain a considerable competitive advantage in the region, post becoming a Middle Income Country.

The implementing agency for this project will be the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). Under the first e-Lanka project funded by the IDA, several key laws were adopted over a five-year period.

The ICT sector has since reported substantial achievements, but further improvements in efficiency and capacity are needed in the government sector which will be addressed through this project.

"The project is well-rooted in the middle-income agenda of Sri Lanka, has won many international awards and accreditations, and has achieved true change in the country's global branding as an ICT destination and its competitiveness as assessed by international rating agencies,"said Diarietou Gaye, Country Director, World Bank Sri Lanka.

" It makes sense to continue with the current momentum and address the unfinished business of this very ambitious project to which we are truly committed as a funding partner."

The objectives of the project are diverse and are aimed at enhancing growth and equity for the country through improved access and use of information and communication; access to and use of public services on-line by businesses and citizens and enhanced competitiveness of the private sector and in particular of the knowledge industry and SMEs.