Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) will implement a four-year project to extend a technical support to auto parts manufacturing industry of Pakistan. Technical expert from JICA Yuko Enami, and Dr Haroonur Rashid Rana, Project Formulation Advisor held a meeting with Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry to discuss the implementation phase of the project. Haroon Ahmed Khan, General Manger, Business and Sector Development Division also attended the meeting.
Yoko Enami said during the proposed four-year programme the technical support would be extended to 50 auto parts manufacturing units of Pakistan through five JICA technical experts. Out of 50 SMEs, around 10 SMEs would be developed as model factories in the field of productivity and quality, Enami said. Furthermore, developing support system through capacity building of partner organisations and local experts is prime consideration of the project, keeping in view the key performance indicators of the relevant fields in consideration, Enami added.
JICA team briefed the association chief about their planned activities in Pakistan on the project and said that the agency's visiting experts would also meet key stakeholders including both automobile and auto parts' manufacturers. JICA officials also appreciated the co-operation of Smeda. Alamgir Chaudhry acknowledged the everlasting support of the JICA for up-gradation of SMEs of Pakistan. "Auto sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Pakistan, which is contributing towards the nation's economy through employment and revenue generation. But, unfortunately, Pakistan has not been able to derive maximum benefits in terms of technical know-how, production technology and quality control in order to upgrade the vendor base of auto sector," Alamgir said.