The Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) with the aid and assistance of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), will set up a training center for investors.
The decision was announced by EPZA Chairman, at an introductory session of 'Gender Promotion Program (GENPROM) Project'.
The GENPROM project is initiated by the joint efforts of UNDP and PRGMEA for garment factories operating at EPZA. It essentially aims at skill development in the apparel sector, especially for the female employees. This apart it will also act as facilitator and provide infrastructure to the proposed training center.
The introductory session was attended by a respectable number of garment exporting companies, operating at Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and received an equally good response from them.
In an exclusive interview with Fibre2fashion, Chairman of Karachi EPZA revealed, “The training center will be located at the export processing zone of Karachi.”
When asked about the total investment made in the project, EPZ Chairman stated, “Although it is too early to give an exact figure, evaluation is under process.”
More than ten garment companies have already benefited from this project and most importantly, the female employees received training of international standards. This has led to an increasein their productivity and has also improved the working conditions.
The third phase of the plan is scheduled to commence from mid March 2008, and already the industrial units of KEPZ are showing great interest in the proposed training program.