The apex body for the ICT Industry, the Federation of IT Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) Software Chapter (Formerly known as SLASI) hailed the successful conclusion of the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2015 and the Business Forum generating massive benefits for the Software Industry in Sri Lanka.
APICTA 2015 was jointly hosted by FITIS and BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT Sri Lanka section from November 18-22 in Colombo. President of the FITIS Software Chapter and the Co-Chairman of APICTA 2015 Organizing Committee, Abbas Kamrudeen highlighted the success of the recently concluded APICTA 2015 and the opportunities opened up to the country especially for the Software Industry by hosting this historic event in Sri Lanka.
Abbas Kamrudeen said, “Firstly, this mega event brought the local image to the global stage. It enhanced the goodwill of Sri Lanka and it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase country’s ICT talents before the world. Secondly, it created many global trade ties through the Business Forum organized parallel to the event providing a strong platform of opportunities to the ICT Industry “More than 70 Software companies have created new business links with 16 countries took part at APICTA – 2015 through the Business Forum. In addition, the participation of over 600 foreign delegates will materialize with significant contribution in creating new business relations with Sri Lanka in the years to come. “Thirdly, it was an ideal opportunity to promote foreign investments among 16 countries in the Asia Pacific region including leading countries such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Singapore etc. The board of Investment (BOI) has organized an investment promotion workshop to all APICTA – 2015 participants”.
The final award ceremony and the gala dinner of the Asia Pacific ICT Awards was held at “Nelum Pokuna” with the presence of Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure.
Many countries have identified the awards ceremony as the best-ever in the APIG TA history, further enhancing Sri Lanka’s goodwill, Kamrudeen commended the organizing committee of INFO-TEL – 2015 for organizing the National ICT Exhibition – INFOTEL – 2015 concurrently with APICTA – 2015 at the BMICH. The ICT industry was able to showcase the ICT products and services available in Sri Lanka to the local and international participants. Since the government declared
the week November 16 to 22, 2015 as the ‘National ICT Week’ of Sri Lanka, FMS organized many events during the week. In addition to the main events, FITIS held the Young Computer Scientist Competition (YCS), which is the local competition modeled of APICTA to select nominees to compete at APICTA under second-ary schools category. Women in IT Forum, National CIO Forum, and ICT Career Guidance Program for students featured INFOTEL – 2015 during the ICT Week.
The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka was the National Partner of the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2015, while the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, Exports Development Board (EDB), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Board of Investment supported the event. There were several private sector partners including Epic Lanka, Microsoft Sri Lanka, NSB etc.