Auto competitiveness: ‘Low literacy, lack of training major barriers’
Staff Report
LAHORE: A low literacy rate coupled with lack of training and human resource development plans were the major barriers in enhancing international competitiveness in automotive industry of Pakistan, said Sadaya Hamasaki, Senior Volunteer of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Automotive Industry.
He emphasized to change the production management systems one by one in Pakistan in order to meet the required standards in this regard.
He was making a detailed presentation on the programme at a seminar held under aegis of Pakistan Association of Auto parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Wednesday.
Syed Iqbal Anwar Kidwai, General Manager Out-Reach Operation of SMEDA, Aslam Malik, Vice-Chairman, PAAPAM, Fayyaz Riaz, Deputy GM and Salman Butt, Management Associate of SMEDA-JICA Industry Support Cell also spoke on the occasion.
The senior volunteer told the participants that as many as 13 automotive factories have been upgraded during last 8 months under SMEDA-JICA Industry Support Program. The programme was initiated in April last to enhance international competitiveness in the automotive industry of Pakistan.
Later, Syed Iqbal Anwar Kidwai, GM Outreach Operation, SMEDA apprised the participants of seminar about role of SMEDA in promotion of SMEs.
He said that SMEDA and JICA were working hands in gloves since last four years for up-gradation of the potential SME sectors in Pakistan. After conducting up-gradation of the Textile sector, the Industry Support Cell set up in SMEDA had initiated a support program for Automotive Sector.
Mr Salman Butt, Management Associate of SMEDA, in a presentation, disclosed that Mr Sadaya Hamasaki had assured to up-grade over 24 automotive factories by October next. A list of 8 factories has been made in this regard by selecting 4 factories from Lahore and the 4 from Karachi, he added.