GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that Government of Assam aims to create a workforce empowered with upgraded skills, knowledge and internationally recognized qualifications to gain access to employment and ensure India’s competitiveness in the dynamic global market with support from Government of Singapore.
Sonowal said this while taking part in the signing ceremony of MoUs and ToR for setting up of North East Skills Centre (NESC) and Greening Guwahati City in the presence of Foreign Affairs Minister of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.
While the MoU and ToR for NESC was signed between Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, Government of Assam and ITE Education Service, Singapore, the MoU for Guwahati city greening was inked between the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and Singapore Corporation Enterprise.
Informing that the state government will provide skill development training to 78,500 poor rural youth during 2016-19 under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUJKY), Sonowal expressed the view that the partnership with Singapore would greatly boost the initiative.
Sonowal said adding that the NESC would train up to a total of 400 students each year who would contribute towards generating a skilled human resource pool.
Sonowal further stated the state government has initiated an innovative Project for beautification of Guwahati City and improvement of quality of life of its inhabitants through a Project called ‘Guwahati Open Space and Park Integrator (GOPI) Network’. “Guwahati has a large number of water bodies, open spaces, parks which can be holistically developed as one large potential area for green space. This unique Project is sought to be designed and developed on the model of “Park Connector Network” being implemented by National Park Authority in Singapore”, the Chief Minister mentioned.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the immense natural resources of the state and its tourism potential and sought Singapore government’s cooperation for showcasing it to global audience. Sonowal also expressed hope that the signing of MoUs between Government of Assam and Singapore would open new vistas for the youth and requested the Singapore Government to join hands for more such collaborations in future.
The Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan in his speech termed the occasion as the beginning of a lasting friendship which would be beneficial for both Assam and Singapore. “Assam is a beautiful land with hills and mountains which are full of greenery. This land is strategically located and has huge potential. We are mandated by the Prime Ministers of both the countries to work for mutual growth”, Balakrishnan said.
He further mentioned, “As the economy in the world is rapidly transforming, it is important to provide jobs and skills to our youth. Singapore is partnering with Assam to train the trainers to amplify the impact of the training centre”.