Export of skilled manpower stressed

Due to lack of necessary skills, country could not capitalise on opportunities

LAHORE:

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar has stressed that Pakistan can earn huge foreign exchange through export of skilled manpower, therefore special attention should be paid to skill development.

He expressed these views while talking to Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA) Director General Sahibzadi Wasima Umar at the chamber premises. The LCCI chief highlighted that due to the lack of necessary skill development, Pakistan could not capitalise on opportunities at the global level. “Saudi Arabia is establishing five new cities but we do not have the required skilled manpower to make use of this opportunity.”

Moreover, he noted that students studying in universities faced difficulties in getting employment as they lacked the required skills, underscoring the importance of making skill development an integral part of education. Anwar emphasised that the LCCI was committed to self-reliance of women and was taking all possible steps. Recently, the chamber established the Women Entrepreneur Corner, which aims to help female entrepreneurs to grow and take advantage of business opportunities.

He suggested that training should be provided to individuals from all walks of life in talking the problem of smog and also called for taking the LCCI on board while undertaking steps to control the smog. The LCCI president underlined the need for strong liaison between the chamber and the Skills Development Authority, believing it could help address scores of problems.

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While agreeing to the proposals, the PSDA DG said that regular contacts would help the organisation to understand the needs of the business community and tailour a skill development strategy accordingly. She said that it was not possible to achieve the desired goals without constant liaison and the industry should inform the PSDA about the manpower required by them. On the occasion, she announced the appointment of a focal person for the LCCI.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2023.

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