Sri Lanka–Netherlands webinar boosts ICT ties

Colombo, July 3 (Daily Mirror) - A webinar aimed at enhancing ICT cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands was hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands on June 30, bringing together key stakeholders from both countries.

Titled Sri Lanka–Netherlands Tech Nexus, the hybrid event—held both at the Embassy premises and online—focused on strengthening bilateral ties in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The discussions centered on business development, digital innovation, and knowledge exchange.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Rekha Gunasekera, in her opening remarks, emphasized the importance of the Netherlands as a strategic partner, noting that it is currently Sri Lanka’s sixth-largest export destination and seventh-largest investor. She reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to fostering structured engagement between Sri Lankan and Dutch ICT sectors in line with Sri Lanka’s National ICT Strategy.

Key contributions came from the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), which presented the country’s digital priorities and introduced Sri Lankan startups seeking international partnerships. The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) offered insights into private sector collaboration opportunities with the Dutch ICT industry.

Representatives from Dutch regional development agencies, including InnovationQuarter and The Hague & Partners, provided an overview of the Dutch tech ecosystem, regulations, and support mechanisms available to international firms. They identified potential collaboration areas such as cybersecurity, digital innovation, and venture funding.

The webinar also featured two Sri Lankan ICT professionals based in the Netherlands, who shared first-hand experiences on navigating start-up ecosystems and scaling in the Dutch market.

A total of 34 Sri Lankan companies participated in the session, reflecting growing interest in tapping into the European digital economy.

Currently, ICT stands as Sri Lanka’s fourth-largest export sector, generating approximately US$2 billion annually. The government aims to increase this figure to US$5 billion by 2030.