IBM India and South Asia Managing Director Sandip Patel commends new Govt.’s 2030 digital strategy; makes itself available to help Sri Lanka take digital agenda forward with its partners
Stresses Sri Lanka presents tremendous opportunities for digital transformation
Unveils new hybrid technologies that break down longstanding barriers to scaling enterprise AI
By Nisthar Cassim
IBM India and South Asia Managing Director Sandip Patel
Global technology and consulting giant IBM this week described Sri Lanka as a “great” market and expressed keenness to help the country fully realise the potential of digitalisation as per the Government’s 2030 strategy.
The optimism on Sri Lanka and expression of support was shared by IBM India and South Asia Managing Director Sandip Patel, who was in Colombo on an official visit to meet senior industry officials, partners, and clients. IBM is by far the first global tech company to enter Sri Lanka way back in 1962.
“Sri Lanka is a great market for IBM. Sri Lanka presents tremendous opportunities for digital transformation. We also see immense potential for Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy. We are very proud to be a partner on this journey. We believe we can help you achieve your digital goals by bringing together world-class technology and expertise,” said Patel, who also met with Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, a former IBM alumnus.
“We had a very interesting dialogue with him about some of the transformation that’s happening within Sri Lanka’s digital program,” said Patel, adding that IBM can make itself available to help Sri Lanka take its digital agenda forward with its partners.
Patel said IBM’s commitment is deeply rooted in fostering enduring partnerships and leveraging innovative solutions to empower businesses, the workforce, and communities via citizen services, enabling digital platforms, and fostering innovation.
“That is our commitment to Sri Lanka. It always has been and will continue to be. We are committed to working hand in hand with Sri Lanka and our business partners here. More importantly, that is how we unlock the full potential of a digital future and truly help realise Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy for 2030,” emphasised Patel.
Further consolidating its position in the banking and finance sector, IBM on Wednesday announced its collaboration with Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to modernise the bank’s digital infrastructure and deliver faster, more secure banking services across Sri Lanka. IBM said banks in Sri Lanka are undergoing major transformations to meet the needs of new and existing customers seeking personalised product experiences, transparency, and security, all in real time. (See also https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Pan-Asia-Bank-collaborates-with-IBM-to-modernise-technology-landscape/42-776706)
At its annual ‘Think’ event in Boston, USA, in early May, IBM unveiled new hybrid technologies that break down the longstanding barriers to scaling enterprise AI – enabling businesses to build and deploy AI agents with their own enterprise data.
IBM said its latest CEO study shows that business leaders expect the growth rate of AI investments to more than double over the next two years, with most actively adopting AI agents and preparing to scale them. Yet, their pace of investments has led to disconnected technology – and only 25% of AI initiatives have achieved the Return on Investment (ROI) they expected.
IBM is combining hybrid technologies, agent capabilities, and deep industry expertise from IBM Consulting to help businesses operationalise AI.
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI and consulting expertise. It helps clients in over 175 countries capitalise on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely.
IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting deliver open and flexible options to clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.
