ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday describing the Overseas Pakistanis as country’s precious asset said the provision of international standard’s skill training to youth included in the government’s foremost priorities.
Pakistan Embassies abroad have been directed to ensure the export of skilled manpower in cooperation with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training as well as the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, he added.
The Prime Minister was presiding over a review meeting regarding priority sectors.
He said with a comprehensive policy formulated for the first time, all institutions were making plans through mutual cooperation and by keeping in view the international requirements of manpower.
The Prime Minister said that the government was committed to provide all possible facilitation to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He also directed to take care of the stipulated timeframe on measures for priority sectors.
The meeting was apprised of making easy the administrative process for export of manpower and progress on Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed during the Prime Minister’s visits abroad.
It was further informed that Overseas Employment Portal has also been launched to enhance manpower exports.
The meeting was told that the portal was serving as a link between the overseas employment opportunities and the candidates.
It was further informed that the portal, which was also identifying skill set required at international level, was helping the capable candidates in finding overseas employment in a transparent manner.
The meeting was told that with a government strategy already finalized to assist the local skilled people in getting employment abroad, priority sectors and countries have been identified in the first phase.
Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training will provide skill training in the identified priority sectors, it was told.
The meeting was told that 50,000 people trained by the Ministry have so far remitted US $ 2.6 billion from abroad through their services in various sectors.
It was further told that National Accreditation Council by getting certification from five international institutions so far was holding dialogue with other institutions.
The Prime Minister directed for early completion of the measures to increase the export of manpower.
The meeting was told the implementation of MOUs signed during the Prime Minister’s visits abroad was in progress. The projects facing any hurdles will also be implemented soon by addressing the issues.
The meeting, which was also briefed about ease of doing business in SMEs sector, was told that the implementation of administrative reforms for SMEs sector was in progress at fast pace.
It was further told that with 98% and 96% of work completed in the first and second phase, respectively, work on the recently launched third phase was also in progress on priority basis.
The meeting was told that work on Easy Business Portal has also been completed and it will be launched soon. 68 reforms were being implemented in 58 institutions of 21 sectors. The reforms besides ease of doing business in SMEs sector will also help create employment opportunities.
The procedure of feedback at portal has also been explained, which will enable direct receipt of opinion in the sector.
In order to ensure uniformity in the quality of food items and edibles, standards have been issued which will be unanimously implemented by all the provinces.
As the meeting was informed about the government’s measures for removing hurdles in the way of investment, the Prime Minister directed to remove the hurdles at the earliest.
The Drug Regulatory Authority will soon complete the digital issuance of all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) including registration certificates for the export of medical devices.
The meeting was briefed on the comprehensive strategy being formulated on the import of waste from abroad and steps being taken to use local waste as an alternative.
In addition to the above, to facilitate tourism industry, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was reviewing the issue of separate cable licenses for hotels.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yousaf and other senior officials.
Chief Secretaries of the four provinces also attended the meeting through video link.
