Sri Lanka’s IT industry federation sings MoU with Vietnam Software and IT Services
Sri Lanka’s apex body for the country’s ICT industry, the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), and Vietnam Software and IT Services (VINASA) have reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the opening ceremony of APICTA Awards 2019 in Vietnam.
APICTA Awards 2019 in Vietnam saw 19 member countries in the ASEAN region participating in the landmark initiative of promoting IT cooperation between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
FITIS was set up in 1996 with the purpose of giving a much-needed focal point for the ICT industry in Sri Lanka and it works towards shaping and leading the strategic direction of the ICT industry in the country. According to reports, FITIS member chapters include Software, Hardware, Education and Training, Communication, Office Automation, Digital Services and Professional with a cumulative membership of over 200 active business firms in ICT industry.
Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) represents the Vietnamese software and IT services industry with the aim of strengthening cooperation support and protect the rights of members. VINASA members account for 65% of the country’s developers and create 70% of the value of software products in Vietnam
Chairman FITIS, Abbas Kamrudeen has been quoted as saying, “Vietnam IT industry has been developing rapidly, becoming the important infrastructure for socio-economic development in the ASEAN region and joining hands with VINASA will establish areas of co-operation between Sri Lanka and Vietnam in furthering and supporting the interests of the membership and development of the ICT Industry in each country.”
Meanwhile, CEO of FITIS Aruna Alwis has said, “This MoU will support the country’s plans in Digital Transformation, and I believe Sri Lanka lags behind in embracing Digital, be it the private sector, public sector or as individual Citizens. The activities we are looking to initiate this year are, Encouraging digital adoption within key industries by providing expert consultation to organizations that require support, creating a platform to recognize digital initiatives, Increasing ICT literacy levels within all sections of the population, supporting and assisting in expediting E-government initiatives, working with government to increase smart phone and internet penetration and providing Digital advisory and consultancy for export companies by linking tech companies with our exporters.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ICT sector has been on a continuous growth path in the past few years. The government of Sri Lanka has also given priority to the upliftment and development of the sector. The county’s ICT sector has therefore been exempted from all taxes. Sri Lanka has built many partnerships with foreign businesses to further boost the IT sector. Given the incentives enjoyed by the sector in Sri Lanka, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/05122019/Z_2 |