Sysco LABS Dialogues shows power of PPPs to position Sri Lanka as global ICT hub
Daily FT: Sysco LABS Sri Lanka hosted the inaugural ‘Sysco LABS Dialogues – Academia, Policy & Industry in Information and Communications Technology’ recently, highlighting how committed public–private partnerships serve as an essential catalyst for achieving Sri Lanka’s national digital economic goals.
Sysco Executive Vice President and Chief Information & Digital Officer Tom Peck gave the opening remarks at the strategic forum held at the Atrium, Cinnamon Grand.
The evening drew senior representatives from the Export Development Board (EDB), The American Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (AmCham), SLASSCOM (Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies), FITIS (Federation of Information Technology Industry of Sri Lanka), CSSL (Computer Society of Sri Lanka), universities, and other corporates in the industry.
From an investor/corporate point of view, Tom Peck, Executive Vice President and Chief Information & Digital Officer of Sysco Corporation, shared why Sri Lanka remains a strategic ICT investment destination.
“We look for talent that can solve problems, think collaboratively, and drive real business outcomes. Sri Lanka offers that kind of talent and a supportive environment for innovation,” he said. “Over the past years, Sysco LABS has grown and expanded significantly in Sri Lanka, tackling complex business challenges and delivering innovative solutions across multiple technology domains. Sysco is leveraging these innovations to help reinvent global foodservice.”
Tom highlighted that global capital seeks ecosystems where world-class talent is amplified by collaboration, and Sysco LABS’ success demonstrates how Sri Lanka’s unique partnership between policy, academia, and industry creates economic value, making it a compelling destination for continued investment.
LIRNEasia and Sarvodaya Fusion Chairperson Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, emphasised that to attract serious investment, Sri Lanka must build foundational “digital rails,” starting with fast, transparent Government procurement. “The most important thing is predictability and seamless interaction. The Prof. explained that this creates an essential platform for public–private partnerships to thrive, establishing a high-trust, low-friction environment where the private sector is empowered to lead and innovate. The Government’s most critical role, he explained, is to enable an environment that allows collaboration to flourish and drives sustainable economic transformation.
SLASSCOM’s Chairperson Shehani Seneviratne outlined Sri Lanka’s impressive ICT export journey and key milestones, showcasing how the private sector can influence policy and talent development. “For years, our industry has been driven by the private sector and passionate individuals, and that remains our strength. Today, we are working closely with universities to ensure graduates are employable and industry-ready, while also creating new pathways such as online internships. At the same time, we continue to engage with the Government on policy and regulation, because while policy provides ambition, it is industry that must lead on talent and innovation to keep Sri Lanka competitive as a global ICT hub,” she noted.
OSL take:
With Sri Lanka poised to become a hub in the South Asian region in line with the ongoing expansions in the country’s economy, there are several key economic sectors that are on the expansion path. The digital and ICT industry is one of the key economic sectors that are on a rapid expansion path in Sri Lanka. This expansion has in turn opened a host of business/investment opportunities in the country’s digital and ICT industry as well as related sectors. The fast-evolving global digital and ICT industry has created many business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka to meet the growing demand amidst an expanding economy. The growth, profits and expansion of businesses already engaged in Sri Lanka’s digital and ICT industry, the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing digitization programmes as well as the increasing investments entering the industry clearly show the growing business potential in the local digital and ICT industry. The expansion in the business/investment opportunities in the digital and ICT industry as the country is on a strong footing to become a regional hub, presents many opportunities to boost Sri Lanka as a digital and ICT hub in the region. Foreign businesses/investors therefore could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital and ICT industry and related sectors while also looking at expanding operations through local collaborations including PPPs with Sri Lanka’s state entities.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20251015/Z_2 |