A partnership between the Research & Development Establishment (RDE) of the Ministry of Defence Production and the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) aims to promote self-reliance, prevent foreign reserves from draining, and control trade deficit.

This was decided in a meeting held between the RDE and PAAPAM to meet the engineering needs of the Ministry of Production through domestic industries. Both sides agreed on exchanging the technical teams to gear up the initiative.

The PAAPAM delegation was led by its outgoing chairman, Abur Razzaq Gauhar and Senior Vice Chairman, Usman Aslam Malik, while RDE Director General Major General Khurram Anwar Qadri headed the ministry’s delegation, a press release received by WealthPK said.

RDE Director General, Major General Khurram Anwar Qadri said the RDE was determined to satisfy its needs locally as much as possible. He believed that the local industry had matured and could be depended upon.

PAAPAM chairman Abdur Razzaq Gauhar said that the country's national defence was the association’s top priority and welcomed the shift in the ministry’s policy to meet its aftermarket needs locally.

It would save a lot of foreign exchange and create jobs and business opportunities for local industries, he added.

PAAPAM Senior Vice Chairman, Usman Aslam Malik emphasized the need for articulating some terms of reference to progress the initiative for the national security organs.

He informed the ministry that PAAPAM members were already exporting high-quality products to many European and North American countries and could provide the same service to its local clients. 

PAAPAM former chairman Abdul Rehman Aizaz hailed the initiative and assured full cooperation. Convener of the business development committee, Sikandar Baig, former vice chairman Irfan Ahmed Qureshi, and EC member Muhammad Nasim spoke on technical and procedural issues.

Later, the delegation visited stalls and inspected various parts and equipment, and discussed technicalities.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk