The 'Strengthening PPE-related Manufacturing Capacities in Pakistan' project, supported by the Government of China and executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, concluded successfully. A closing ceremony was organized in Islamabad to mark this achievement. The event saw the presence of notable dignitaries such as Mr. Yang Guangyuan, the Counsellor for Economic Commercial Affairs from the Government of China, and Mr. Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, the Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Additionally, representatives from the Planning and Development Departments in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Sindh Education Foundation, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, and Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company attended the ceremony.
The closing ceremony underscored the collaborative endeavors of the Government of China, UNDP Pakistan, and both Federal and Provincial Governments in bolstering opportunities for youth and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to pursue employment, income generation, and business expansion in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. As part of this initiative, the project facilitated the enhancement of 17 Common Facility Centers across the three provinces by providing 858 new, cutting-edge industrial training and production equipment. These resources are poised to benefit the youth workforce and MSMEs, enabling them to amplify their product supply and meet the quality standards demanded by the markets.
Over the course of three years, the initiative aims to empower 10,000 young individuals, with a minimum of 50% being young women. These beneficiaries will receive practical training at the newly upgraded centers, honing their technical expertise in industrial manufacturing processes. The focus areas include the production of Personal Protective Equipment, apparel/textiles, plastic goods, light furniture, and various other commercial goods. Furthermore, MSMEs will have the opportunity to utilize the facilities at these centers to support their commercial production activities.
Van Nguyen, the Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan highlighted that the project’s interventions would enhance business development opportunities for enterprises and the vulnerable youth of Pakistan. She said, “With the right technologies and technical support provided by this project, Pakistan can leverage its labor-intensive MSMEs to produce export-quality products that are in high demand, both locally and internationally. This approach not only ensures increased productivity but also creates employment opportunities and improves prospects of income generation for Pakistan’s youth”.
Also speaking at the occasion, Yang Guangyuan, Chief Guest and the Minister Counsellor for Economic Commercial Affairs from the Government of China, said, “This project is truly small and smart. By teaching a person to fish, instead of giving him a fish, we could possibly help to feed him for a lifetime. I am delighted to know, that in the next 3 years, more than 10,000 young Pakistanis will get involved, with 50% of them being women, which will lay a solid foundation for relevant manufacturing industries in Pakistan. The future of Pakistan relies on young people. The future of Pakistan’s economy relies on export-oriented industry. The project combines these ‘two futures”.
Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of Prime Ministers Youth Programme highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development. “We believe that the holistic development of youth should be achieved through collaborative and cross-sectional approaches. Projects like this demonstrate that together, we can achieve great things. We also appreciate the support of our friends from China and UNDP in helping us build a brighter future for our youth, and look forward to continued collaboration and support in our efforts to empower the youth of Pakistan”.
