A high level delegation of Small & Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Turkey led by President KOSGEB Recep Bicer called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, at Lahore on 9 March 2016. Promotion of small & medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing cooperation of technical, vocational and skill training was agreed in the meeting. It was also unanimously decided to evolve future strategy regarding promotion of small & medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing cooperation of technical, vocational and skill training.
Talking to the delegation, Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey are tied with everlasting friendship and various Turk companies are making investment in different sectors in Punjab. He said that Turkey has made tremendous progress in promotion of small & medium enterprises and skill development. He said that youth are our precious asset and a number of steps have been taken for empowering them through providing skills. The Chief Minister said that it is need of the hour to promote skills development keeping in view the increasing demand of qualified skilled manpower. He said that all out resources will be provided for preparing skilled manpower according to market needs. He said that Punjab government has fixed target of making 20 lakh youth skillful during next two and a half years. Shehbaz Sharif said that promotion of SMEs is vital for strengthening national economy. He said that technical assistance of Turkey will be benefited for preparing skilled manpower and meeting their demand.
President KOSGEB Recep Bicer said that Pakistanis are our brethren and we will be happy to help them. He assured full cooperation to Punjab government in promotion of small & medium enterprises, technical, vocational and skill training.
Provincial Ministers Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, President Bank of Punjab, Secretary Industry, Secretary Labour, heads of vocational training institutions and senior officials were also present on the occasion.