Skilled Overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset to the country. Prime Minister. Providing international quality vocational training to the youth is one of the top priorities of the government. Prime Minister. Pakistani embassies have been directed to ensure the export of skilled manpower in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. Prime Minister. For the first time in Pakistan, a comprehensive strategy has been formulated in this regard. Prime Minister. The government is committed to facilitate SMEs. Prime Minister. All priority sector initiatives should be completed in the ascertained timelines. Prime Minister. Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting of PM's Priority Sectors in Islamabad on 15th October, 2021. The meeting was apprised of the progress on Manpower Exports, Regulatory Guillotine for SMEs and follow up of MoUs signed during Prime Minister's visits abroad. The meeting was told that Overseas Employment Portal has been launched to increase manpower exports. The portal includes dashboards for Promoters, Foreign Employers, Jobseekers, NAVTTC and Overseas Employment Corporation. The portal serves as a link between overseas employment opportunities and the Jobseekers and also identifies globally required skill sets. The portal is helping qualified job seekers abroad to find employment in a transparent, efficient and cost effective manner. In addition the government has developed a comprehensive plan of action to help Pakistani skilled workers find employment abroad. In the first phase, priority sectors and countries have been identified. Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training will provide training in the identified areas. So far, 50,000 people trained under the ministry have sent remittances of 2.6 billion through services in various sectors abroad. The meeting was also told that National Accreditation Council has so far obtained certifications from five international organizations and is in consultation with more. The Prime Minister directed to follow the timelines regarding the measures to bolster the export of skilled manpower on priority basis. The meeting was also apprised of the progress on the MoUs signed during the Prime Minister's foreign visits. Majority of the MoUs are being implemented on a priority basis. The projects which were facing obstacles in implementation will also be removed and the work will be completed soon. The meeting was also briefed about the progress on Regulatory Guillotine for SMEs. The meeting was told that Reforms for SMEs are in full swing. In the first and second phase, 98 and 96 per cent reforms has been completed, while in the recently released third phase, work is also being done on priority basis. For facilitating SMEs Asaan Karobar Portal is complete which will be launched soon. Overall 68 reforms are being implemented in 58 institutions dealing with 21 sectors. The reforms will facilitate the small and medium-sized enterprises, will help in capital accumulation and job creation. The feedback procedure on the portal has also been included which will provide direct feedback from the sector. Harmonized food standards have been notified throughout the country which will be adopted unanimously by all the provinces. The meeting was also apprised of the obstacles in the investment sector and the steps taken by the government to address them. The Prime Minister issued instructions to resolve the obstacles expeditiously. The Drug Regulatory Authority will soon complete the digital issuance of all NOCs including registration certificates of export of medical devices. The meeting was briefed on the comprehensive strategy being formulated on 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, PEMRA is reviewing the issue of separate cable licenses for hotels. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Education and Vocational Training Shafqat Mahmood, Trade Advisor Abdul Razzaq Dawood, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yousaf and other senior officials. In addition, participation of the Chief Secretaries of the four provinces through video link.
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