Lankan IT sector participates at GITEX
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai, UAE, organised Sri Lanka’s participation at GITEX Expand North Star from October 13-19.
This initiative featured a range of activities, including business meetings, networking sessions and field visits across Dubai, aimed at showcasing Sri Lankan innovation and fostering international partnerships. Ten ICT SMEs/startups exhibited and participated in this programme, representing the ICT industry of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s IT sector made a remarkable impact at GITEX Expand North Star 2024, the event brought together global innovators, tech entrepreneurs and industry leaders, offering the Sri Lankan delegation a platform to explore collaborative opportunities and present the nation’s growing ICT capabilities.
North Star Trade Fair
GITEX Expand North Star, a key part of GITEX Global, stands as the world’s largest investor programme.
It offered a unique platform for investors from around the world to broaden their networks, explore cutting-edge technology trends and engage with a diverse array of high-quality startups. The programme also provided matchmaking opportunities to connect SMEs and startups with potential partners and investors.
From October 13-16, Sri Lankan representatives actively engaged with exhibitors from diverse sectors at the North Star Trade Fair. The delegation explored business expansion opportunities, fostered meaningful connections and discussed potential collaborations with global tech pioneers.
EDB was able to secure an opportunity from the GITEX fair organisers for a Sri Lankan IT expert to participate in a panel discussion on the Spotlight Stage at GITEX North Star. Jeevan Gnanam, Group Managing Director of Veracity Digital (Pvt) Ltd, represented the Sri Lankan IT industry in the panel discussion, focusing on the ecosystem of investing in Asia.
Other speakers were Tuyet Vu, Advisor at Vertex Ventures SEA & India, Vietnam and Hao Tang, Managing Director of the IASP China Office and Senior Assistant Director at IASP, TusPark (Jiangsu) Innovation Research Institute, China. The panel discussion was moderated by Martina Fuchs, a business journalist at Xinhua News Agency, China/Switzerland.
Sri Lanka Consul General Alexi Gunasekera, along with a delegation of Sri Lankan IT companies at Expand North Star 2024, had a productive meeting with Ghanim Al Falasi, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Technology Ecosystem at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Hans Christopher, CEO of Dtec, at the DSO headquarters.
The meeting focused on exploring collaboration opportunities in technology and innovation. Sri Lankan companies took part in the Tech Business Networking Event. This gathering facilitated focused discussions with professionals from the global technology sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing that could benefit the growth of Sri Lanka’s IT landscape.
Sri Lankan companies visited the main exhibition at GITEX Global after completing the North Star exhibition, where participants explored the latest industry trends and technological innovations
This provided an opportunity to connect with the potential global IT community, gain insights into industry trends and new technologies, and learn from experts through speeches and workshops during their visit.
The Sri Lankan delegation visited IntelaK Hub at One Central. This visit provided valuable insights into Dubai’s SME ecosystem and innovation initiatives, helping the delegation better understand the local entrepreneurial landscape.
A networking event was organised by the Consulate General Office and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, with assistance from the Sri Lanka ICT Association of UAE and the Sri Lanka Business Council.
Sri Lankan companies presented their products and services during the session held at the Novotel Deira Creekside Hotel, which facilitated discussions and connections between Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and key players in the Middle East’s tech sector, fostering opportunities for collaboration and growth. More than 120 visitors, representing several countries, participated in the networking session.
The programme concluded with a field visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, which provided valuable insights into Dubai’s innovation and funding ecosystem. This experience offered inspiration for Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurs to leverage global resources for growth and expansion.
Sri Lanka’s participation at GITEX Expand North Star 2024 reflects the nation’s commitment to advancing its IT sector and fostering international collaborations.
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