IT/BPO Chamber lauds Budget Proposals 2013
SLASSCOM (Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies),
Sri Lanka's IT/BPO industry chamber has welcomed the Government of Sri
Lanka's Budget Proposals 2013 to support the development of the IT/ BPO
and Knowledge Services industry.
In the latest budget presented to Parliament by the President who is
also the country's Finance Minister outlines specific measures to assist
the country's fast growing IT/BPO industry, said Imran Furkan, Executive
Director, (SLASSCOM) in a release.
Broadband connectivity is the enabling infrastructure for IT/BPO
services much like the expressways for other industries.
The cost of commercial broadband is one of the highest in the region
and the budget proposes halving taxes on high-speed broadband services.
Another key enabler of the industry growth is people. Industry growth
is limited by the number of annually qualifying workforce and having
adequate number of talented people coming in to the industry is
essential for growth. Budget proposes to keep income taxes for the
sector employees to a minimum.
The proposal to allocate funds to the capacity building and quality
enhancement of the industry will enhance talent within the industry and
encourage people coming into the industry while supporting the
enhancement of quality. These were among the specific budget proposals
submitted by SLASSCOM to the Finance ministry and to the President.
Despite the global downturn, the Sri Lankan IT/BPO export generated
over US$400 million in export income, having grown from US$ 210 million
in 2009 benefiting from the end of the 25 year conflict. Industry aims
to grow to one billion dollars of export revenue by 2016 and plan to
create over 80,000 high paying jobs within the country.
The sector is already among Sri Lanka's Top 5 export revenue earners.
Sri Lanka is emerging as the destination of choice for the global IT/BPO
market. In the last A.T. Kearney's Global Services Location Index (GSLI)
2011, Sri Lanka is ranked among the top 25. Sri Lanka is also featured
among the top 30 in the prestigious Gartner ranking.
"The SLASSCOM vision of the IT/BPO and Knowledge Services industry is
to become the top revenue earner for the country within the next 10
years, and a medium term goal of achieving US$1bn in export revenue with
direct employment of 80,000 within the next 4 years.
All our endeavours are geared towards driving Sri Lanka to reach our
national goal of becoming the No: one industry to lead Sri Lanka to the
Knowledge economy," said Sujiva Dewaraja, Chairman of SLASSCOM.
He also added that SLASSCOM welcomes the support and receptiveness of
the Government as evidenced by these Budget Proposals and the positive
sentiments expressed within the Budget Speech of H.E President Mahinda
Rajapaksa towards the IT/BPO industry and hopes that the Government of
Sri Lanka will continue to engage with the IT/BPO industry stakeholders
in the years to come in seeking ways and means towards developing this
fledgling industry. |