KARACHI, Feb 20: The consulate of Japan signed an agreement with a non-governmental organisation on Monday to help it construct a vocational training centre in SITE.

The grant will be used to build a two-storey building and purchase necessary equipment for vocational training in auto-mechanics, mechanics, handling and repair of electricity gadgets, computer software and repair, sewing and hairdressing.

In his brief address, Masaharu Sato, consul general of Japan, Karachi, recalled the assistance the Japanese government had been providing to Pakistan in various fields and said that more than 200 schemes had been approved and implemented by the Japanese embassy under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) which has provided financial help to NGOs, community-based organisations, local bodies etc since 1989.

The GGP, he said, had been successfully initiated in Karachi in 2009 and so far five grant contracts (including this one) had been signed.

Speaking about the relations between Pakistan and his home country, Mr Sato said the year 2012 marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"In this regard, a two-day festival focusing on the various aspects of Japanese culture will be held next month at the Arts Council," he said.

Mr Sato expressed concern over the adverse law and order situation in Pakistan and some other countries, which, he said, had limited the scope of Japanese assistance programme. In this context, he mentioned the Japan International Cooperation Agency which closed down its office in Karachi and now operated only from Islamabad.

In response to a question about a project for establishing a special economic zone for Japanese investors, he referred to a number of impediments, including investors' security fears and lack of basic necessities which, he said, had hampered progress.

"The project has not been shelved. We are waiting for things to improve," he remarked.

Referring to the grant for the vocational centre, Mr Sato said: "The amount is modest. But it is hoped that it would be spent efficiently. It is important to remember that, regardless of the amount, it is Japanese taxpayers' money who should know how their money is used."

He also highlighted the importance of learning skills and said it was necessary because good education could not always guarantee a good job. And, after acquiring employment, one should remember that although money was important to sustain life, it wasn't everything, he said.

Ansar Javed, chairman of the Starfish Karachi, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for providing support and said 'the assistance showed the heart of the Japanese people.'

Each training course, he said, would accommodate 15 people and hopefully over 200 people would be trained in different skills every year.