"The ITEC program was initiated in 1964, as many as 300 short-term programs..."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indian Embassy in Jakarta held the India Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day as part of the South-South cooperation between India and Indonesia.

The embassy said in a press release received here Monday that the ITEC Day held at the embassy on Friday (March 1) was attended among others by the Indonesian president`s special aide for poverty control HS Dillon, ambassadors and some ITEC trainees.

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh said since the ITEC program was initiated in 1964, as many as 300 short-term programs, such as English language, IT, agriculture, banking, rural development and journalism trainings have been organized by involving 200 institutes.

According to Singh, the ITEC program is one of India`s major initiatives to enhance capacity building as well as to show India`s interests to share experience and knowledge with other countries as part of South-South cooperation.

Regarding cooperation with Indonesia, Singh said the ITEC program has successfully trained over 1,500 Indonesians in various sectors, including civil and defense since the program was approved in 1994. Under the program, over 100 opportunities are made available to Indonesians each year.

He also mentioned two vocational training centers in the construction sector have been set up in Jakarta and Banda Aceh within the framework of joint venture with Indonesia.

In his speech, Dillon said the ITEC program has given great contributions to training the Indonesian people and has created opportunities for them to master the Indian technology.

According to him, India is a good example of a nation who has managed to pass through waves of globalization to obtain the greatest possible benefit for its people.

The Indonesian people should be able to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Indian government by mastering technological and entrepreneurship skills, he said.

After taking part in the training, they can provide value-added services to Indonesia`s development in all fields, said Dillon.

Dillon also called on ITEC graduates to form a forum that will allow them to interact and provide advice to prospective participants. As such, they can play a strategic role in strengthening partnership between India and Indonesia.
(Uu.A050/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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