Lanka BPO industry has tremendous growth - British Minister

BY SHIRAJIV Sirimane

SRI LANKA is yet to unearth its maximum economic potential, said the visiting British Trade Minister Ian Pearson.

He said Sri Lanka's economy is very resilient. The British Minister was speaking at a breakfast meeting last Friday.

"Sri Lanka has not maximised its opportunities and it is high time to do so," he said.

Pearson said the high literacy rate is a major advantage for the country and the Sri Lankans are highly respected in the ICT sector, which is growing.

"Sri Lanka has the largest certified accountants outside the United Kingdom and the Sri Lanka Technological membership in the British Computer society too is very high. In addition London based education institutes are performing well," he said.

The visiting Minister identified the BPO industry as an area where there would be tremendous growth potential. He said that the HSBC has already taken advantage of this.

"Companies should not be afraid of outsouring as it delivers better value for money," he said.

The British companies should realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and on-going partnership support.

The GSP Plus introduced by the European Union will provide additional opportunities to the Sri Lanka's garment industry.

He said that new British technology has been used at the Independent Fashion Terminals (Pvt) Ltd at Seeduwa.

The Minister visited the company last week. He said high technology should be introduced to the industry.

The British investors too could exploit the trade agreements Sri Lanka has with India and Pakistan. "This too can be converted to a win-win situation," he said.

We condemn violence where it happens strong biz relationships. "The UK is the largest European investor in Sri Lanka and both countries have been maintaining economic relations for over centuries. This would be another advantage for British companies to do business with Sri Lankans," he said.

Pearson has Ministerial responsibility for Trade and Trade Policy, Trade and Investment, Economic Policy including Science and Technology, Human Rights, sustainable development, energy, climate change, North America, South East and East Asia and Oceania.

Pearson is a graduate in economics and politics from Balliol College, Oxford, and a Masters and a Doctorate in Industrial and Business Studies from Warwick University.