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Islamabad, November 17, 2014 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Stones Development Company and Skills Development Council Islamabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote training-industry linkages and to conduct joint research activities that would facilitate the advancement and innovation in stone industry.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the MoU signing ceremony, which was signed by MianAkramFarid, Chairman, Skills Development Council, Islamabad and Agha Shahid N. Khan, Chairman PASDEC.
Addressing the ceremony, Muhammad ShakeelMunir, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that majority of our population was comprised of youth and Skills Development Council (SDC) should launch demand driven technical training and skills development programs to turn the youth bulge into well-trained and skilled manpower for the industry.
He said to improve the competitiveness of our exports, it was essential that our skills development institutes should impart vocational trainings that should meet the global standards. He said SDC should get affiliation with some internationally recognized training body, which will not only benefit the local industry in innovation, it will also facilitate the easy absorption of our trained manpower in international job markets.
Mian Akram Farid, Chairman, Skills Development Council, Islamabad said that in order to bring innovation and value addition in stone industry, both organizations will enhance mutual cooperation in different areas in order to provide need-based trainings to its workforce.
He said the MoU will be helpful in improving the global competitiveness of our stone products and promote exports. He appreciated the initiative of ICCI for playing the role of bridge between training institutes and industry, which will facilitate in capacity building of industry.
Agha Shahid N. Khan, Chairman PASDEC highlighted the role of his organization in promoting stone industry. He said PASDEC has planned many new initiatives to further develop marble and granite sector in Pakistan and make it an efficient and fast growing industry.
He said PASDEC is focused on reducing quarrying wastage in Pakistan from 85 percent to 45 percent by introducing latest technology and modern quarrying methods. He was hopeful that the MoU between PASDEC and SDC will pave way for making our stone industry globally competitive and socially responsible, leading to improved exports for the country.
For more information, contact:
Khalid Chaudhry
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk