Dr Manchanayake appointed Vice Chairman of ASOCIO

The Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization's (ASOCIO) annual summit was held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia. Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) was recognized by ASIA Oceania region's largest ICT industry association representing 22 economies by unanimously appointing President of FITIS Training Chapter Dr. Kithsiri Manchanayake as a Vice Chairman of ASOCIO.

(Federation of Information Technology Industries in Sri Lanka) FITIS was set up in 1996 with the purpose of giving a much needed focal point to the ICT industry in Sri Lanka. FITIS member chapters, along with many others, include:

* Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry – FITIS Software Chapter – SLASI

* Sri Lanka Computer Vendors Association – FITIS Hardware Chapter – SLCVA

* Association of Computer Training Organizations – FITIS Training Chapter ACTOS

* Information Systems Audit and Control Association – FITIS Prefessional Chapter ISACA

* Licensed Internet Service Providers Association – FITIS Telecommunication Chapter LISPA

President of FITIS Training Chapter Dr. Manchanayake has spearheaded ICT training in the country since its inception in 1992. Dr. Manchanayake Chairman of AIMS Group and a pupil of the late Prof. V.K. Samaranayake University of Colombo, School of Computing. He is one of the founder members of FITIS, ACTOS, SALSI and Infotel Society Limited. As a pioneer and veteran of the ICT industry in Sri Lanka, Dr. Manchanayake has represented the country at various ICT conferences, government missions and trade shows for over two decades. He is also involved in active politics and is currently serving as a Member of the Western Provincial Council.

ASOCIO is a group that consists of IT industry associations from Asia and Oceania regions. Established in 1984 with objectives to:

* Promote, encourage and foster trade relationships between its members

* Develop the computing industry in the respective regions.

* Promote opportunities for the interchange of opinions on matters affecting the computing services industry, including cooperation with other organizations on matters of common interest.

* To promote the interests of the industry through the print media, exhibitions, competitions and public for as may be advantageous to the computing services industry.

* To encourage its members to formulate, maintain and establish a code of conduct including standards of services and performance, as guidelines for compliance by the computing serviced industry.

* To confer, consult, maintain, contact and cooperate with any association, society or institution that has objectives in whole or part similar to those of the organization.

ASOCIO is recognized as the premier platform for its members to create and facilitate frameworks and processes for ICT trade and by influencing Asia Oceania's governments to reduce and remove global trade barriers, while assisting member economies to build globally competitive ICT industries.

Currently, ASOCIO represents the interest of 29 economies, comprising of 22 members from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam as well as seven guest members from Canada, France, Kenya, Russia, Spain, UK and USA. ASOCIO's members account for more than 10,000 ICT companies and represent approximately US $350 billion of ICT revenue in the regions.

Sri Lanka will be hosting the ASOCIO Summit 2012 concurrently with the Infotel 2012 exhibition.