Jica taps 4 PH gov’t agencies for technical cooperation plan

Susumu Ito

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is partnering with different government agencies for a four-year technical cooperation to make certain Philippine industries are globally competitive, the agency said in a statement.

Jica said it would be working with the academe and the government to build the skill sets of the Filipino workforce in the following industries: automotive and auto parts, IT, electronics and engineering services.

These industries were chosen “because of their strong forward and backward linkages that have a multiplier effect to the economy in terms of job creation and value added,” Jica said.

Jica chief representative Susumu Ito and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez signed on Nov. 29 the so-called record of discussion for a four-year technical cooperation agreement for development planning.

This enhancement, Jica said, would be done through Industrial Human Resource Development (IHRD) and Supply and Value Chain Development (SVCD).

Apart from the Department of Trade and Industry, Jica is also working with the Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority on the project.

The project involves the review and updating of both the curriculum and training programs to make graduates more competitive in the said industries. The training institutions would also receive assistance for the review of  their programs and to enhance their industry linkages.

Jica also said that local suppliers could also work with foreign companies and get support for management and marketing capacity building, market access and productivity improvement.

Through the project’s activities, operational models of SVCD and IHRD will be implemented and replicated to other industries and regions, while strengthening foreign-local company linkages.

This will also involve capacity development for counterpart government agencies and Philippine companies in the automotive industry, Jica said.