The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Karachi has hosted an online session aimed at fostering collaboration between key stakeholders in the Information Technology (IT) sectors of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

The event was jointly organised with the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

According to the Sri Lankan Consulate General, several potential member companies from P@SHA, along with its Secretary General, Ali Hasani, participated in the session from the Pakistan side.

From the Sri Lankan side, the session featured the designated Chairperson of SLASSCOM, Shehani Seneviratne; Project Manager at the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Sachindra Samararatne and representatives from M/s. Ascent, M/s. Sanmark and M/s. Dilexus, who delivered insightful presentations on current developments and opportunities in Sri Lanka’s IT industry.

In his opening remarks, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi, Jagath Abeywarna, highlighted Sri Lanka’s steady economic recovery and underscored the growing significance of the IT sector as a key engine for national growth. “The investment climate in Sri Lanka is increasingly favourable,” he stated. “The IT sector plays a central role in our economic future.”

A presentation was also delivered on Disrupt Asia, Sri Lanka’s premier conference and festival for startups and innovation, scheduled to be held from 17 to 21 September 2025 in Colombo. Discussions were held on exploring the possibility of participation by P@SHA and its members in the upcoming event. (Newswire)

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In a resounding affirmation of India’s ascent in the global digital economy, the city of Bengaluru has achieved a historic milestone.

CBRE’s Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025 highlights that Bengaluru, often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India,” has officially joined the ranks of elite global technology powerhouses with a tech workforce exceeding 1 million.

This landmark development places the city alongside global giants such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and London, underscoring its rising influence in the global tech landscape.

The recognition from CBRE, one of the world’s leading commercial real estate and investment firms, is a major endorsement of Bengaluru’s role as a transformative force in the tech world.

With a robust ecosystem of startups, multinational firms, research institutions, and a highly skilled talent base, Bengaluru exemplifies the dynamism and potential of India’s broader tech revolution.

A testament to India’s tech potential

Bengaluru’s achievement reflects the strength of India’s tech ecosystem, which has evolved remarkably over the last two decades.

The city has consistently been a magnet for domestic and international firms seeking talent, innovation, and scalability.

With the number of tech professionals now crossing the one million mark, Bengaluru has not just grown in size but matured in sophistication.

The CBRE report emphasises that this scale of growth is matched by the city’s ability to adapt to evolving global technology trends.

From artificial intelligence and machine learning to cloud computing, fintech, and enterprise solutions, Bengaluru is home to cutting-edge innovation across all major domains of the digital economy.

A vibrant innovation ecosystem

One of Bengaluru’s greatest strengths lies in its vibrant and collaborative tech ecosystem.

The city is home to a large number of startups—many of which have achieved unicorn status—as well as global tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel, all of which have established significant operations in the city.

India’s largest software services exporters, including Infosys and Wipro, also have their headquarters in Bengaluru.

These firms continue to evolve and scale, providing high-value services to global clients and investing significantly in upskilling their workforce and investing in research and development.

In addition to corporate giants, Bengaluru is known for its thriving startup culture.

The city has produced some of India’s most successful tech startups—like Flipkart, Swiggy, Razorpay, and Freshworks—that have grown to become global players.

The support ecosystem—comprising venture capital firms, incubators, and accelerators—has played a crucial role in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

A young, skilled, and diverse talent pool

One of the driving forces behind Bengaluru’s rise to global prominence is its immense talent pool.

The city is home to premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), and numerous engineering colleges that feed the tech industry with top-tier talent year after year.

The workforce in Bengaluru is not only large but also diverse and future-ready.

With a median age far younger than many Western tech hubs, Bengaluru benefits from a dynamic demographic profile that fuels innovation, risk-taking, and digital fluency.

Increasing numbers of professionals are trained in next-gen technologies, enabling the city to stay at the forefront of rapid technological change.

Moreover, the city has increasingly become attractive to talent from across India and the world, contributing to a cosmopolitan work culture that values collaboration, agility, and continuous learning.

World-class infrastructure and connectivity

Bengaluru’s development as a tech hub has also been supported by strong infrastructure and policy initiatives.

The presence of numerous tech parks such as Electronic City, Whitefield, and Manyata Tech Park, along with Special Economic Zones (SEZs), has provided world-class facilities to enterprises of all sizes.

The city’s improved public transportation network, including the expansion of the Namma Metro, growing international connectivity via the Kempegowda International Airport, and the development of suburban rail and tech corridors, further strengthens its appeal as a global business destination.

Additionally, Karnataka’s state government has played a supportive role in enhancing the ease of doing business, encouraging innovation, and facilitating foreign investments through proactive policies.

Initiatives like the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) aim to double the state’s digital economy and create millions of jobs, with Bengaluru as the cornerstone of that vision.

A preferred global technology hub

CBRE’s Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025 positions Bengaluru as a premier destination not just for Indian firms but also for global companies looking to expand or establish their technology operations.

The city offers a unique combination of scale, skill, and cost-effectiveness that few other global destinations can match.

Bengaluru’s competitive cost of operations, coupled with a high return on innovation investment, makes it particularly attractive in an era where enterprises are increasingly focused on value creation and efficiency.

The city’s proficiency in both back-end services and front-line innovation makes it a one-stop destination for end-to-end technology development.

Furthermore, Bengaluru’s global mindset—shaped by decades of working with international clients—enables seamless collaboration across borders.

The prevalence of English as the business language, a strong legal framework, and robust intellectual property protection further enhance its global appeal.

A future-ready city

As the world embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Bengaluru is positioning itself as a future-ready city.

Investments in emerging areas such as quantum computing, space tech, clean energy, and sustainable innovation are beginning to take root in the city’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

Educational institutions, corporate R&D centres, and public-private partnerships are driving frontier research, while the city’s young entrepreneurs are tackling global challenges through technology-driven solutions.

Government initiatives to promote skilling in AI, data science, blockchain, and cybersecurity are preparing the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

Importantly, the rise of remote and hybrid work models has not diminished Bengaluru’s relevance.

On the contrary, it has made the city an even more attractive destination for digital-first companies that value a tech-savvy, distributed workforce.

Bengaluru’s global tech moment

Bengaluru’s entry into the league of global tech powerhouses with over 1 million professionals is a moment of immense pride—not just for the city, but for India as a whole.

It is a testament to decades of hard work, strategic investments, and a culture that embraces innovation and excellence.

As highlighted in CBRE’s Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025, Bengaluru’s rise is not a coincidence—it is the result of sustained momentum built on a foundation of talent, infrastructure, vision, and resilience.

The city’s tech workforce is powering not only Indian enterprises but also contributing to transformative solutions across the globe.

With its eyes firmly set on the future, Bengaluru is not just keeping pace with the world—it is helping shape it. (Times of Oman)

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Free laptops provided by the Japanese IT University were handed over to software engineering students by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a function held at the Temple Trees on Thursday (Feb 29).

The Japanese IT University provided free laptops to software engineering students of the newly-established Lanka Nippon BizTech Institute (LNBTI), with the contribution of funds from Japan.

The Prime Minister attended the ceremony and handed over laptops to several students marking the importance of this significant gesture to bridge the digital gap and LNBTI’s unwavering commitment to enhancing student access to technology, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Acting Japanese Ambassador, Katsuki Kotaro and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake handed over laptops to another group of students. 

The Acting Japanese Ambassador said Japan is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital development and urged the students to make the best use of state-of-the-art technology available to them to successfully navigate their future careers.

These cutting-edge devices, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, are poised to empower LNBTI students pursuing their Software Engineering Degree Program. LNBTI, a collaboration between “hSenid Ventures” of Sri Lanka and “Metatechno Inc.” of Japan, stands as the first and only Japanese higher education institute with degree-awarding status in South Asia.

The Director of LNBTI said several free laptops are available for students from rural areas who wish to join the Institute.

The event culminated with the Prime Minister encouraging LNBTI students to harness the power of technology for innovation, education, and socio-economic development. 

This ceremony stands as a beacon of progress, epitomizing LNBTI’s commitment to unleashing the potential of technology to uplift forthcoming graduates and serving as an inspiration for future initiatives dedicated to bringing the two nations closer through the contribution of professionals in the IT industry, the PM’s Office added. 

LNBTI Directors Saman Kumara and Ravinder Perera, academic staff, students and parents attended this function. (NewsWire)

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