The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) has inked a financial assistance agreement of $10 million (Tk 117 crore) with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
KOICA Country Director Taeyoung Kim and MoEWOE Secretary Md Ruhul Amin signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the ministry's conference room on Wednesday.
State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury, senior ministry officials, and KOICA representatives attended the signing ceremony.
Addressing the signing ceremony, the state minister remarked, "Through the implementation of this project, KOICA will provide financial assistance to modernise the Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Center (BKTTC) in Chattogram and develop skilled manpower based on market demand."
He expressed hope that this project's proper and timely implementation would modernise our technical training centres. Furthermore, the skilled workforce trained at these centres would have secure employment opportunities in Korea and other countries.
Last Sunday, KOICA proposed a signature of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to renovate the BKTTC in Chattogram, alongside developing curriculum, providing training and collaborating with the private sector, as well as creating skilled workers through the private and national universities for both Bangladesh and South Korea.
They wish to start the project within August or September. They have urged active cooperation from the MoEWOE, the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and other government entities.
Sources concerned with the matter confirmed that KOICA will discuss the project with ERD regarding its financing and that the agency plans to submit a written proposal detailing the project to the government division.
