The government has requested Japan to take initiative to set up an institute of training of trainers in the country to help develop skilled manpower to cater to the growing need of industries and other sectors of the economy.
Senior officials have suggested that JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) may take the initiative to set up the institute mimicking the ones institutes it has set up in Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.
These institutes are playing important role in training of trainers in various fields focused on changing market demands.
The officials said that the country should have enough arrangement in place to produce the quality manpower to meet the demands of Japanese investors who will seek highly skilled work force and managerial personnel.
The request was made when a Japanese mission visited the country last month. The meeting was working to prepare the agenda of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's forthcoming visit scheduled on Saturday next.
This visit is expected to usher in a new era of economic cooperation; especially in attracting Japan's private sector investments to Bangladesh's manufacturing sector and such other service sectors.
Vice President of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Salauddin Kasem Khan told the FE that the issue of trained manpower came up for discussion in the meeting. It came on the table keeping in mind the growing need of trained manpower for Japanese investors looking to relocate their businesses to Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh side held the view that JICA may set an apex institute for training of trainers, who will then help increase the country's efforts to create skilled manpower in various sectors.
Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) who led the Japan's team in the meeting readily agreed to the suggestion and there may be good results any time soon, Mr Khan said.
He said JICA may set up the institute alone as it is running so many similar institutes in the region. It may also join the consortium of other development partners who have over US$1.0 billion together in the pipeline focused on developing skilled manpower in Bangladesh.
He said Japan may also contribute towards developing more special
economic zones in the coastal belt from Tekhnaf to Mongla. Once these economic zones will have their own township with social infrastructure, coastal belt will become highly attractive to foreign investors in Bangladesh.
He said the government is working on a plan to set up Sonadia deep sea port near Cox's Bazar. Japan has also made funding commitment of a big power project at Matarbari in Moheshkhali Island and developing the Island as a big energy hub.
He said the development of coastal belt is already in progress and wider Japanese involvement may be secured to accelerate the process. Investors from Japan may also set up gas pipeline from Myanmar to Chittagong under a gas for fertilizer swap, he said.
