SLASSCOM revs up IT/BPM industry
SLASSCOM is aiming to increase revenue from the IT/BPM industry to US$1 billion in 2016 with an 80,000 strong direct employment workforce.
As part of its initiative to advocate the creation of regional cities and bring about inclusive growth in Sri Lanka, it is organising the Kandy IT/BPM week from 10 to 12 June 2016 to build human resources capacity in the BPM sector in second tier regional cities. Addressing a media briefing this week, SLASSCOM Chairman Mano Sekaram highlighted the importance of startups as the next generation of growth from young entrepreneurs. SLASSCOM’s vision for 2022 includes increasing revenue to $5 billion, creating 200,000 direct jobs as well as 1,000 startups. Mr. Sekaram said it is important to nurture entrepreneurship.
Over the past eight years, revenue from the IT/BPM industry has grown over 150 per cent to $850 million with company growth increasing by 30 to 40 per cent while the workforce has grown by 300 per cent to 82,850. Mr. Sekaram pointed out that Sri Lanka is prominently among the top global destinations for IT/BPM. He went on to say that 80 per cent of the workforce in IT/BPM comes from the regions but growth so far has been concentrated within the Western Province. The industry can operate from any location when the environment is conducive. SLASSCOM looked at certain key factors when identifying locations such as Kandy, Jaffna and Galle. They were access to resources such as universities, infrastructure, periphery and entrepreneurship.
Kandy IT/BPM week is supported by the Export Development Board (EDB), Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education (MOE). The initiative will consist of five programmes, each focusing on target audiences varying from school children, exporters, entrepreneurs and university students. A Future Careers Program will be held on June 10 to educate school children about the global and local IT/BPM industry, creating awareness on the wide range of job opportunities available within the sector. An export forum and Entrepreneur workshop will be held on June 11 targeting those who already run small and medium scale enterprises, aspiring entrepreneurs and others who are looking to start businesses.
A BPM conference will also be held at the University of Peradeniya for university undergraduates where presentations and case studies on career potential and developments in the BPM sector will be shared. An IT conference will follow on June 12 where Sri Lanka’s ICT industry leaders will address undergraduates from the University of Peradeniya and other universities in Sri Lanka, providing information about the latest developments in the global and local IT/BPM industry through practical insights. Commenting on Kandy IT/BPM week, Mr. Sekaram said the creation of second tier cities would empower the regional economy and would see a paradigm shift from being Colombo-centric to being Regional-centric. “Regional people will be able to reap benefits while living in their households, allowing them to enjoy a far better standard of life.”