Metatechno Lanka adds value to local engineers

SOFTWARE: Metatechno Lanka incorporated in Sri Lanka in 2001 is a fully owned subsidiary of Metatechno Inc., Japan. Metatechno manufactures embedded software mainly for Cannon products such as printers, fax machines, digital cameras.

Apart from catering to Cannon, Metatechno is also working with JEOL, a manufacturer of biomedical equipment, and is looking for suitable local companies for joint ventures/business partnerships. Currently, the company has brought in Rs. 14.5mn as direct foreign investment to Sri Lanka.

With an employment force of 15 engineers at the Colombo office and Metatechno Lanka employs newly graduated engineers from the universities of Colombo, Moratuwa and Peradiniya. Metatechno Lanka provides these local engineers with a thorough training of the Japanese language for one year after which they are sent to Japan where they are given the opportunity to work with Japanese engineers.

Through this training we aim to give these engineers an understanding of Japan's way of business. We expect that these trainees will acquire the knowledge of how to manage Japanese projects and also how to maintain a good relationship between the client and the engineer. After about three years of training, we bring them to Colombo where they will work at the Colombo office", said President and CEO of Metatechno Lanka Koga Michio.

He also pointed out that there are only a few Japanese companies which develop software in Sri Lanka and after studying the investment potential of the country, due to features such as the cultural similarities, diligence of staff, favourable investor climate Metatechno Inc., decided to expand operations to Sri Lanka. Metatechno Lanka recently celebrated its 5th anniversary in operations in Sri Lanka and expanded their operations and also opened a training centre with the aim of providing more internship opportunities.

Executive Director/General Manager Kithsiri Rathnapriya, highlighted that Abiding the agreement Metatechno Lanka has with the BOI and in order to ensure transfer of technology, and for the enhancement of Sri Lankan technology, these engineers return to Sri Lanka, where they are given development projects.

So far Metatechno has trained 41 graduates and in November 2006, the company hopes to select 10 more engineers for the electronics and telecommunications department. Rathnapriya also stated that discussions are in progress for possible expansions with Sony Engineering. Furthermore, with the development of expansions with JEOL, there is immense potential for local chemical processing engineers, mining and mineral engineers to get exposed to the industry at a very highlevel.