KARACHI, Jan 13: The minister of state and chairman of Export Promotion Bureau has said that auditors will be appointed to look into the working of technical institutions set up by the EPB out of the Export Development Fund.
Speaking as a chief guest at an award distribution ceremony on completion of a five-month training programme by Korean technicians for the leather garment industry and its upgradation project late on Monday evening, Tariq Ikram said that these institutions had yet to give desired results in imparting skills to man-power required by various industries.
He said the objective of these auditors would be to find out and identify the shortcomings of these institutions and also give solution to the problems. Without skilled workforce, the EPB chief said, the quality and higher production level could not be achieved as both the elements were essential to compete in the free world market.
Mr Ikram said that a huge amount of Rs2 billion had been spent on these technical institutions but the desired results were not forthcoming because of host of factors. He said that all these institutions were confronted with different problems and difficulties. "The basic reason for such a situation, even after spending Rs2 billion is lack of mutual confidence between private and public sector organizations."
He said there were institutions that have everything, including machinery, good faculty and building, but they did not have funds to run properly. Mr Ikram concluded that something went wrong at the planning stage and held both the private and public sectors responsible for such a situation. Due to lack of confidence, he maintained, the required funds were never released by the EPB.
Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association chairman Fawad Ijaz said this training project was started in August 2003 and it ended this month. He also presented a handbook of latest leather garments production techniques learnt from the Korean technicians to Tariq Ikram.
Under the Trade Policy 2003-04, the Koreans were invited for imparting training of technology and skill upgradation. This is an integral part of supply chain management that is essential for boosting country's exports.
The main objective of this training project was to upgrade production skills so that exporters could produce right quality and designs sought by buyers. The training of labour force was carried at factories in Sialkot, Lahore and Karachi and in all 19 PLGMEA members participated in this project. The overall exports of leather garments are showing remarkable growth. Their exports during July-December 2003 were $190.5 million.