Lahore, March 11, 2019 (PPI-OT): The 4-year technical support program undertaken by SMEDA in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Pakistan Automotive Parts and Accessories Association (PAAPAM) has completed successfully by concluding the process in upgraded skills’ competition at Lahore and Karachi. CEO SMEDA Mr. Sher Ayub Khan, giving details of the project informed that Auto sector, being one of the most important and fastest growing sectors in Pakistan, contributes towards the nation’s economy through employment and revenue generation.
The local vendors play an important role in the growth of auto industry as they bear the responsibility of producing auto parts and sub-assemblies according to the benchmark set by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), but on the other hand, local industry is lacking competitiveness both in terms of quality and cost, he said adding that unfortunately Pakistan had not been able to derive maximum benefits in terms of technical know-how, production technology and quality control in order to upgrade the vendor base of auto sector, without proper training and relevant guidance.
Resultantly, there is a high rejection rate during various manufacturing processes in the local auto parts industry, he lamented and informed that the technical support program in collaboration with JICA was, therefore, designed in 2015 to enhance manufacturing capabilities to enhance quality production and increase share of localization of auto parts. He further told that the Japanese way of improving productivity and quality had been introduced in over 50 auto parts manufacturing concerns under the guidance of 5 Japanese Experts for long-term intervention since August 2015.
Focusing on enhancement of workers’ skills, JICA experts have imparted various Japanese Quality Techniques at the shop floor level and considerably minimized rejections, CEO SMEDA said and informed that for further bolstering workers’ skill levels and creating sense of attaining highest skill standards, practical review was made by holding skills competitions in 11 diverse skills including Welding, Painting, Cutting and Machining, Surface Finish, Parts inspection, Fork Lifter Driving etc.
CEO SMEDA expressed deep gratitude to to Mr. Mr. Katsunori ASHIDA, Deputy Consul-General, Consulate General of Japan in Karachi, Ms. Onoe, Sr. Representative JICA Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ashraf Sheikh, Chairman PAAPAM, Mr. Mansoor Ahmed, CEO Karachi Tools Dies and Molds Center and Mr. Kaneki, Chief of JICA Experts Team for their fullest support in running the four year JICA-SMEDA Program and arranging the 1st Skills Olympics in this regards.
For more information, contact:
DGM (Admin. and PR)
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)
4th Floor, Building No.3, Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex,
Egerton Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-111-456
Fax: +92-42-36304926-7
Email: aligohar@smeda.org.pk, helpdesk@smeda.org.pk
Website: www.smeda.org.pk