This regular publication of the World Bank Group addresses the critical role that information and communication technologies (ICT) play in economic development. It found that regional improvements in ICT affordability in South Asia have led to 500 million new subscribers accessing telephone services and double digit growth in subscription to mobile telephone in each country in the region since 2004.

Globally, the report found that access to affordable, high quality internet and mobile phone services enables development across all levels of the economy and society. In fact, for every 10 percentage-point increase in high speed Internet connections there is an increase in economic growth of 1.3 percentage points. The report also identifies the mobile platform as the single most powerful way to reach and deliver public and private services to hundreds of millions of people in remote and rural areas across the developing world.

Broadband in particular plays an essential role in providing the basis for local IT services industries, which create youth employment, increase productivity and exports, and promote social inclusion. Report authors say that developing countries should seize this largely untapped opportunity, with less than 15 percent of the potential global market for IT services industries currently being exploited. In 2007, this market represented nearly US$500 billion.

In South Asia, reformed regulatory frameworks in the region now promote competition and private investment in the telecommunications sector. The region has also become a strong player in the global information and innovation economy. While India’s success in the information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) sectors is well known, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also emerged as potential destinations for offshore services. In addition, the use of ICT services continues to deepen, with governments across the region designing and implementing programmes to both automate and transform public service delivery.

However, more needs to be done to realise the development impact of ICT in the region. The report gave each of the South Asian countries scores of 3 or 4 on a scale of 1-10 in overall ICT performance, a measure that includes access, affordability, and adoption. This is because more advanced ICT services such as the Internet and converged services are not yet widely available compared to other regions. Given the low income levels in South Asia, there is still room to improve affordability and expand the addressable market. The use of ICT by governments and in businesses will have to deepen to have a lasting impact on improved transparency and service delivery.

“These technologies offer tremendous opportunities. Governments can work with the private sector to accelerate rollout of broadband networks, and to extend access to low-income consumers,” says Mohsen Khalil, World Bank Group Director for Global Information and Communication Technologies. “Governments should proactively encourage the development of local IT services industries through policies and incentives directed at entrepreneurs and the private sector, and through investments in skills and infrastructure.”

“Access to broadband completes the information foundation for a modern economy and should be a priority in national development plans.” says Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. “Governments can play a key role in expanding broadband access by policies and incentives that encourage competition and private investment, she added.”

The awards are a global symbol of achievement that recognises all forms of marketing communication that contribute to a Brand’s success, honouring communication ideas that produce outstanding results for clients. A panel of judges comprising industry leaders, evaluate the impact of communication campaigns which have successfully generated sales, revenue and surpassed targets set.

The 8 Effie Awards received by Triad included a Silver Effie for the Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha “Senehasa” campaign in the Non Profit/Public Service category, together with 7 Bronze Effies - 2 once again in the Non Profit/Public Service category for the Ministry of Defence “Api Venuwen Api Vemu”, and the Sri Lanka Navy, “Proud to be in the Navy” campaigns, 2 in the Financial Services category for People’s Bank “Say YES to Life” and Sampath Bank “Kalin Cash” campaigns, 1 for Seylan Bank Crisis Management in the Corporate Reputation/Professional Services category, 1 for the launch of Laughs Oil in the Automotive Related Products category and 1 for Keells Super “Lower than the Lowest Price” campaign in the Retail Store category.

These Effie Award wins are the latest in numerous prestigious Advertising industry awards that Triad has received over the years - including being adjudged Best Agency for three consecutive years at Chillies, Triad also boasts of being the first ever Grand Prix Agency in 2009. In addition, at an international level, they also won the first metal at AdFest 2008, and this year, produced a finalist at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, together with Silver medallists at the Young Spikes Asia Competition in Singapore - further strengthening their credo of “Sri Lanka Can”. Now, with the Effie Awards 2009 win, Triad stands stronger than ever to meet the challenges of 2010, retaining its leadership and offering Brand centric, consumer driven, locally relevant communication ideas.

According to the Effies jury, the most important criteria for judging Advertising in the eye of the marketer is effectiveness. With many landmark communications to its credit, Triad prides itself for providing creative solutions to solve a Brand’s problem or optimise on an opportunity. Basing its ideas on insights and market truths, the Triad team sees great potential for Brand communications in Sri Lanka. For Triad, this outstanding win at the Effie Awards, highlights the significance that the Marketing industry is placing on their Brand experience. To them, Effies is an outstanding achievement, which clearly demonstrates teamwork between Agency and Client. Winning these Effies has undoubtedly created an ideal opportunity for Triad to show how they can add value to a Brand, and become an inspiration to local agencies that are committed to raise the bar of communication excellence in Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the win, Chairman- Phoenix Ogilvy, Irvin Weerackody said, “There is only one measure to judge how well a Brand has performed in the market, and that is effectiveness or the results. In that sense, the market is both judge and jury of effectiveness”. He added, “We sell or else….this is an old mantra, but this is also the new reality. We are happy we have achieved results for our Brands.”

Commenting on the Silver award won for “Good things come in small packages” campaign, Vice President, Head of Retail Banking & Marketing- NDB Bank, Indrajit Wickramasinghe said, “Ogilvy has been the communications partner of NDB for over a decade, and we have together, strategically built a strong Brand over the years. We are pleased that the effectiveness of our marketing and communications approach has been recognised.”

Ogilvy also walked away with a Primary Agency Bronze award for its “Now, that’s when I want music” campaign for Dialog Telekom, a Secondary Agency Bronze award for Ogilvy Media’s work on the ‘David vs Goliath II’ campaign for GlaxoSmilthKline Consumer Healthcare and another Secondary Agency Bronze award for Ogilvy Action’s work on Unilever’s ‘Global Handwashing Day 2009’ campaign.

The Effies award ideas that work and celebrate effective campaigns. The winning entries are a combination of all the disciplines that go into a marketing programme: planning, media, creative, market research and account management. Furthermore, the awards demonstrate Client-Agency partnership in the creation, management and the building of a Brand. As a result, the Effies is the most coveted award presented in the Marketing Communications industry.

“The forum will focus on responsible economic development opportunities for small and medium enterprises. It provides a unique platform linking the business community based in Colombo, regional SMEs, international investors, and Sri Lankan investors domiciled overseas, together with the business community in the North and East,” said Manique Mendis, BPA Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer at a press conference held last week.

She said that besides matching investors and deserving entrepreneurs from the regions, the forum will also provide prospective investors opportunity for dialogue with high level government officials on policy issues relating to investment in the North and East.

“Participants will also gain first hand insights into the North and East, revealing the ground realities,” she said.
The two day programme includes an interactive forum, a series of field visits to project locations, opportunities to link up with the business leaders in the North and East and exchange samples of products.
“We are expecting to take around 100 participants with us to travel from Colombo while another 50 participants are expected to attend from Jaffna,” Mendis said.

The Board of Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Exporters, American Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, International Alert, UNDP and IOM are partnering BPA in this conference.
“The Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and the Yalpanam Chamber of Commerce, both members of the BPA network, are making the ground arrangements in Jaffna,” Mendis said.

The ‘BizPact Investment Forum – Jaffna’ is expected to attract members of the Sri Lankan diaspora who wish to invest in their home country , resident Sri Lankan investors who want to explore the opportunities that are opening up in the SME sector of the regions of Sri Lanka, Investment Advisers who need to assess the opportunities in SME development in the North and East., government officials involved in promoting investment in the North and Eastern Province, members of the regional business community in Sri Lanka and members of civil society organisations that are involved in supporting the economic development of the regions of Sri Lanka. Participants are offered transport from Colombo to Jaffna and back, accommodation, internal transport and all facilities in Jaffna.

The Business for Peace Action Programme, or ‘BizPact’ as it is better known, is a long term programme designed by BPA. The BizPAct ‘Invest in Sri Lanka’ Symposium in Colombo, coupled with visits to the regions that took place in June this year was a key milestone of this programme. The symposium kindled the interest of local and foreign investors to take advantage of the window of opportunity for developing the regions of Sri Lanka through responsible joint venture business partnerships with the SMEs in these areas.

This seminar was conducted to fulfill one of the objectives of the Association, to engage in educational activities for the trade practitioners. This seminar was aimed at importers, exporters, bankers engaged in trade services and financing, and businessmen who are eager to venture into International Trade in a whole new economic order presented after the Global meltdown and the local post conflict scenario.
The best of the Trade specialist conducted the seminar and gave the participants a very good opportunity to educate themselves on how to identify appropriate resources, select the best options according to the situation, minimise risks and maximise returns in International Trade Business. The Seminar included a wide range of topics related to International Trade

Azam Omardeen, Assistant Vice President – Trade Services, NDB Bank, handled the subject of Trade Contracts. He stressed the importance of having a properly drawn out Trade Contract to create a better understanding between the Buyer and the Seller and help resolving disputes even in a court of law. He also explained some of the provisions of ICC’s Incoterms2000 and how they could be used to avoid lengthy Trade Contracts whilst including a number of obligations of the buyer and of the seller to it.

Parama Dharmawardene, Consultant, Sampath Bank, President of the Trade Finance Association of Bankers (former Deputy General Manager, Sampath Bank), made a presentation on Documentary Credits and Collections by using a number of interesting case studies to bring out the learning points on the subject. He explained the obligations of the Issuing and Confirming banks, the role of the nominated bank, issues relating to the issuing / confirming bank’s undertaking, the repercussions of incorporating various clauses in LCs. He went on to discuss issues relating to documentation and valid or invalid reasons for refusal. Mrs. Shanthi Gooneratne - Head of Corporate Credits DFCC Vardhana Bank handled the Financing of Imports and exports and explained the need for financial discipline by importers / exporters and how a package of financial facilities should be structured in order to ensure that an importer / exporter can carry out his business without running to financial difficulties.

Sabry Ibrahim, Senior Deputy General Manager (Risk & Compliance), Peoples Bank, clearly explained the products available to manage Foreign Exchange Risks and the strategies that could be adopted in managing these risks. Dilruk Ranasinghe, General Manager, Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation, explained the export credit insurance facilities offered to the exporters and the commercial banks by SLECIC. Jayantha Silva – Senior Manager, Marine Cargo Claims Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, discussed the marine insurance risks, the different types of cover available and the risks covered by the different Cargo Clauses. Mrs. Anoma Ranasinghe - General Manager Documentation, Mitsui OSK Lines Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. made a comprehensive presentation on Shipping Risks and transport documents.