Auto part makers: Japanese agency to collaborate with SMEDA

[Muhammad Omar]

Out of the 50 SMEs, around 10 would be developed as model factories in the field of productivity and quality. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is going to initiate a four-year technical support programme in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) for quality and productivity enhancement of the auto parts manufacturing industry in April this year.

Speaking at a meeting at the Smeda head office, Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry said a conference was held the other day with JICA Chief Representative Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki to set a roadmap for implementation of the project.

During this four-year programme, technical support will be extended to 50 auto part manufacturing units in Pakistan through five technical experts of JICA, who are expected to arrive in Pakistan in April. Out of the 50 SMEs, around 10 would be developed as model factories in the field of productivity and quality.

Furthermore, a development support system through capacity building programmes of partner organisations and local experts is the prime consideration of the project. The visiting Japanese experts will also hold a series of workshops both in Punjab and Sindh on productivity and quality enhancement in the auto sector.

Smeda had requested the government of Japan for long-term technical support. The authority aims to broaden the scope of productivity improvement activities across the value chain and subsequently improve the share of locally produced auto parts.

The programme is based on a survey conducted by JICA in collaboration with Smeda in September last year. Apart from detailed discussions held with Smeda, the JICA mission also visited 11 auto part manufacturing units.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2015.