BOI goes digital to streamline services and enhance transparency

Sri Lanka’s investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment (BOI), yesterday announced the digitisation of some of its key functions, in an effort to provide an efficient service with minimal human intervention, eliminating the need for paper and enhancing the transparency of the system. 
Starting January 10, the new programme will automate the previously manual collection of import and export document fees, automate the collection of verification fees and launch an export verification management system, with digitised gate passes, including the QR codes.
“This will provide electronic payment facilities, 24-hour full-time service, transparency, reduction of human resources and cost savings,” the BOI said in a statement.
In 1993, the establishment of industries throughout the island outside the investment zones led to the creation of the Central Verification Division in Orugodawatte. This institution, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Customs, carries out import and export clearances for industries and services.
Under the new system, all tasks, including granting relevant approvals through a digital system with digital identification, are expected to be completed. 
The issuance of digital gate permits commenced yesterday as the initial step of this programme. 
“The adoption of the digitisation of the BOI investor experience will act as an enabler to attract more FDI and it will be a good launch pad for attracting the much-needed digital FDIs to the country,” the BOI said.