KARACHI, Aug 8: The counsel-general of Sri Lanka in Karachi, P.D Fernando, on Thursday praised the idea of establishing a federation of engineering institutions of SAARC countries, comprising leading engineers from member countries and assured the IEP of his full support and cooperation in this regard.

Speaking at a reception in honour of visiting engineers of SAARC countries at IEP Karachi Centre, the Sri Lankan CG appreciated the IEP concerns regarding mandatory engineering training after implementation of GATS-2000 and other WTO regulations.

“Engineering institutions of SAARC countries should take these regulations seriously as extra efforts are required to create an awareness about these regulations among engineers and educational institutions imparting engineering education,” he said, adding cooperation between professionals of regional countries was the need of the hour.

Stressing the need for formulating a comprehensive policy for continued professional development and joint training programmes for engineers of SAARC countries, Mr. Fernando invited the IEP president, with his colleagues, to visit Sri Lanka to work out a joint strategy regarding GATS and other WTO regulations.

IEP president M.P Gangwani was of the view that establishment of a joint platform for engineers of SAARC countries was an extreme necessity as it was the only way to meet the requirements of GATS and WTO regulations.

“We should sit together and devise a joint strategy for continued professional development of our engineers”, he said, adding it was the only way out to meet certification requirement after implementation of international agreements.

IEP Karachi chairman Khalid Quraishi, welcoming the delegates, expressed the need for a closer cooperation between engineers of SAARC countries.

Earlier, IEP secretary for Karachi briefed the visiting delegation about the aims of IEP and its activities for the engineering profession in Pakistan. —APP