Italy offers help in skill training, curbing smog

Lahore: A delegation from the Italian Development Cooperation Institution and Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi agreed on Sunday to extend mutual cooperation for the agricultural development, vocational training and elimination of pollution.

The 13-member delegation headed by the Italian Development Cooperation Institution Director Luca Maestripieri also discussed with the caretaker chief minister matters with regard to coping with environmental pollution and smog with the help of Italian technical assistance.

Cooperation regarding renewal of the GSP Plus preferential trade status also came under discussion.

The caretaker CM said the Punjab government would welcome Italian technical assistance to effectively cope with smog. He expressed his gratitude to Italy for providing access to the European Union markets.

Naqvi maintained that the Punjab government would welcome technical support of Italy to bring improvement in the agriculture and other sectors. He said training of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) instructors in Italy would provide an opportunity to harmonise the vocational education in Punjab with the latest requirements.

The Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) chief executive officer gave a briefing about investment opportunities in Punjab while the additional secretary for environment apprised the delegation about the situation with respect to pollution.