KARACHI, Dec 12: Japan will undertake marine research and training vessel and food processing projects in Pakistan under $300 million PJBF projects for human resource development.

This was stated by director general, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), Osamu Mizui, during a meeting with Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi here on Thursday.

Mr Mizui was leading a delegation of Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF). He pointed out that Japanese government had pledged this grant in March this year for poverty reduction on the request of President Pervez Musharraf.

He said that these projects are being processed with the active collaboration of Jetro, PJBF and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These projects are upgradation of Pakistan Industrial Training Centre (PITAC), Lahore; Plastic Training Centre, Karachi; Automotive Production and Testing Centre, Karachi; and improvement of raw cotton quality through the control of pink bollworms.

Mr Mizui pointed out that work on marine research and training vessel project and opening of PITAC at Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi was under progress. Similarly, the first-ever project in food processing at Hyderabad was being designed, he added.

In addition, Japan wanted to establish about 50 training and testing centres all over Pakistan under the same project.

The industries minister said Japan was trying to help Pakistan by providing technical assistance and these projects will certainly play an important role in our development.

Referring to the project in cotton quality control, Mr Jatoi said Pakistan was seeking new varieties in cotton production and this project will help in harvesting quality crop.—APP