Sri Lanka takes key step toward transformation to digital economy with the Japanese
Daily FT: A consultant contract for the detailed design of Japan’s project “Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project” was signed last week between Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe and the Japanese company Yachiyo Engineering.
The event was graced by the presence of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata.
The Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project is a project that supports transformation to a digital economy, which is the foundation for sustainable economic growth, through the effective use of limited and scarce frequencies. This project also contributes to improvement of people’s lives through the provision of diverse contents, including information and alerts on natural disasters, and the securing of a healthy competitive environment in the broadcasting industry.
Ambassador Isomata emphasised that the project should be implemented without any further delay, mentioning the fact that it took 10 years before the consultant contract was signed today since the bilateral agreement was concluded between Japan and Sri Lanka.
He expressed his expectation that all parties concerned will work closely together to implement the project in a steady manner for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka in achieving a digitalised economy.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s overall economic expansion experienced at present has resulted in the overall expansion in the fields of ICT and digital infrastructure development. With Sri Lanka on the path to achieve regional hub status supported by the country’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean and the strong trade ties enjoyed with many foreign countries, Sri Lanka continues to attract the attention of foreign businesses/investors to explore the growing business/investment opportunities in the country. The ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors have seen one of the fastest expansions in the country with the Sri Lankan government undertaking a special programme to digitize the economy. The transformation of the country into an e-economy to meet the fast-evolving global digital space has opened a host of new business/investment opportunities in the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors. The growth and profits recorded by the local businesses already engaged in these sectors are indicative of the increasing business potential in the ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore the growing business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors while also looking at further expanding operations through local collaborations.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250408/Z_3 |