Nepal, Sri Lanka commence strategic bilateral ICT partnership

KATHMANDU: Nepal and Sri Lanka have formally commenced a strategic bilateral partnership aimed at significantly advancing the information and communication technology (ICT) sector across South Asia. This collaboration is expected to accelerate digital transformation, foster innovation and enhance economic cooperation between the two nations.

The conceptual framework for this pioneering initiative was spearheaded by Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation), with Academic Expert Central Executive Member Omkar Basnet also present. The comprehensive proposal was officially handed over to Chameera Munasinghe, Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Kathmandu, Nepal, marking a pivotal step towards regional ICT synergy.

Key elements of the partnership include the establishment of a Nepal–Sri Lanka ICT Business Council. The CAN Federation, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) and ICTA Sri Lanka, will create a dedicated bilateral platform aimed at facilitating structured dialogue, cross-border collaboration and business matchmaking in critical areas such as outsourcing, cybersecurity, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

The framework emphasises the promotion of joint ventures in startups and innovation through co-investment models and incubation programmes, supported by Sri Lankan venture capitalists, accelerators and companies. This initiative is expected to provide substantial growth opportunities for Nepali startups in sectors including AI, health tech, agritech and fintech. Another objective of the partnership is the mutual recognition of IT certifications and technical training programmes, which will help bridge digital skill gaps and streamline cross-border professional opportunities for IT experts.

In addition, the collaboration seeks to facilitate outsourcing and talent exchange by leveraging the respective strengths in software development, cloud computing, business process outsourcing (BPO) and cybersecurity services, thus ensuring both cost-efficiency and quality. The two nations have also underlined the importance of strengthening cybersecurity co-operation, with Nepal’s npCert and Sri Lanka CERT set to work together on threat intelligence sharing, cross-border incident response and joint capacity-building initiatives to bolster regional cybersecurity resilience.

Other aspects of the collaboration include plans to co-host ICT expos and trade missions. Events such as Nepal’s CAN InfoTech, B2B Summit and Startup Expo will be coordinated with Sri Lanka’s Trade Expo, Conference and Policy Dialogue, providing a robust platform for startups and tech firms to showcase innovations and engage with investors. Both governments are exploring the launch of a bilateral ICT investment fund, with the potential creation of a Nepal–Sri Lanka ICT Innovation Fund designed to support collaborative research, product development and technology commercialisation, serving as a catalyst for digital advancement.

Academic and research collaboration will also be a priority, with leading ICT universities and institutions set to sign memoranda of understanding for joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative development in areas such as AI, blockchain and data analytics. Furthermore, the initiative commits to harmonising digital policies and frameworks by engaging in policy dialogue and aligning regulatory measures on data protection, digital identity, e-commerce and cross-border digital services to facilitate smoother digital trade and governance.

The long-term vision of the partnership is to establish a Nepal–Sri Lanka Digital Corridor. This ambitious project aims to position both nations as complementary digital hubs within South Asia by integrating resilient internet infrastructure, cloud services and shared digital platforms to drive comprehensive regional digital transformation. The strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to harnessing the full potential of the ICT sector for mutual prosperity and regional advancement.