Ericsson launches ‘Nation Building through ICT Innovation & Inclusion’ initiativein Sri Lanka

Ericsson(NASDAQ:ERIC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, has launched the ‘Nation Building through ICT Innovation & Inclusion’ initiative in Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 26, 2016, coinciding with the inauguration of Ericsson’s new state-of-the-art premises in the country.

The landmark event, attended by Hon. Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, included the signing of a Letter Of Intent (LOI) between the Ministry and Ericsson. The LOI aimsto establish an inclusive and diverse ICT innovation environment thatstimulates a broad range of ICT ecosystem partnerships.

The LOI highlights the unique role ICT plays as the key enabler of the government’s Digital Sri Lanka vision. It includes a series of Ericsson initiatives such as the establishment of a 5G innovation center, coupled with a gender and differently-abled diversity internship program that encourages entrepreneurship and generates employment opportunities across a range of industries.

Denis Brunetti, Head of Ericsson Sri Lanka, says: “In recognition of the enduring partnership Ericsson has shared with the people of Sri Lanka for over 20 years, it gives me great pride and pleasure to forge this Nation Building alliance with the government of Sri Lanka.

“As demonstrated through Ericsson’s Connect to Learn initiative in Sri Lanka, which utilizes mobility, broadband and cloud to bring ICT education to teenage girls from farming communities andempower their future, Ericsson is committed to harnessing the power of ICT to forge ecosystem partnerships that deliver benefits to the people of Sri Lanka.”

“Through this positive spirit of collaboration, we are investing further in our commitment to the people of Sri Lanka by launching the ‘Nation Building through ICT Innovation & Inclusion’ initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Telecommunication & Digital Infrastructure, which aims to ensure that a broader range of contributions to ICT development and innovation are embraced and favorably leveraged across the country. As well as fueling the further expansion of our Connect to Learn service to Badulla and Jaffna in 2016, this strategic partnership will contribute a 5G innovation environmentand an annual Ericsson ICT Internship program involving female ICT students from Moratuwa University and differently-abled ICT studentsfrom across the Sri Lankan community.”

Hon.Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication & Digital Infrastructure, says: “I commend the Ericsson team for taking the lead as a responsible corporate citizen and long-term Nation Building partner to the people of Sri Lanka. We are delighted to have joined hands with Ericsson in forging this historic ‘Nation Building through ICT Innovation & Inclusion’ strategic partnership, which ultimately aims to reduce the digital divide in the country.

“Through this collaboration, we will engage in multiple Technology for Good initiatives that put technology into the hands of people at the grassroots, across all walks of life. We believe in the power of ICT and equal opportunity for all. Byusing ICT to empower a broader range of people across the country, we believe this long-term partnership with Ericsson will create new and exciting employment opportunities while instilling a strong sense ofentrepreneurship throughout society.

“The Ministry of Telecommunication & Digital Infrastructure intends to join Ericsson management in Stockholm, Sweden later in 2016 to further advance the partnership through jointly orchestrated meetings with leading Swedish and Sri Lankan ICT companies. The ambition is toforge entrepreneurial ecosystem collaborations that combine the complementary skills and capabilities of a broader cross-section of ICT players for the benefit of all Sri Lankans.”

Through its long-standing history in the Sri Lankan market, Ericsson and the people of Sri Lanka have successfully forged a relationship based on trust, innovation and performance. Ericsson remains diligently focused on serving shared interests and leveraging its ICT capabilities for the greater good of the nation.