SLASSCOM and Daraz sign MoU to boost e-commerce data in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) and Daraz Sri Lanka recently signed a much-anticipated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve e-commerce-related data in Sri Lanka.

SLASSCOM and Daraz have launched a national e-commerce penetration and use survey, which covers at least 3,000 e-commerce users across the 25 districts in Sri Lanka. The survey will be carried out by an independent research company in all local languages, and the results of the survey will be published in the form of a report, which will be made available to the public and widely disseminated.

At the signing of the MoU, SLASSCOM Chairperson Ms. Sandra De Zoysa stated: “The optimism among businesses and interest among online shoppers regarding the use of e-commerce is encouraging. Given that the present state of e-commerce development in Sri Lanka is quite basic, the potential for expansion, both for the domestic market and for cross-border trade, seems extremely promising. As such, this survey will give us an accurate insight into Sri Lanka’s maturity and readiness levels in e-commerce. The findings could help put a strategic plan for e-commerce development and implementation. At SLASSCOM, we are keen to work with the industry in order to initiate action by finding solutions to bridge the existing gaps found through this study.”

Daraz Sri Lanka Managing Director and Country Head Mr. Rakhil Fernando further added: “This collaborative effort aims to ensure that not just a few but many stakeholders will have access to some of the data they need to push forward the e-commerce industry in Sri Lanka. Closing data gaps will significantly boost both our understanding of Sri Lanka’s e-commerce landscape and possible pathways that could be taken to further develop the e-commerce industry. It will provide a much clearer understanding of the potential of the industry and enable businesses to develop better localized solutions, and ensure the industry develops competitively and in a manner that is sustainable.”

E-commerce is a relatively new industry in Sri Lanka, and one that is critical to future economic growth. It is a nascent activity that was boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for e-commerce to thrive in Sri Lanka, understanding the extent to which citizens are adopting e-commerce to buy and sell goods and services is essential.

“The survey report will provide an overview of the e-commerce landscape in Sri Lanka from a user perspective, along with indicators and baselines for understanding the maturity and potential growth of the industry. It will identify areas of strength and areas for improvement or policy intervention, and also highlight the drivers and barriers to e-commerce penetration and use in Sri Lanka,” stated Daraz Sri Lanka Head of Public Policy Anishka De Zylva.

Good, high-quality data is critical to ensuring that invested resources deliver the right and most desirable outcomes, and with data collected through surveys such as this, both businesses (including micro, small, and medium-sized businesses), the government, policymakers, lawmakers, and other organizations would be able to make better decisions, solve problems, improve offerings, and allocate resources more efficiently.