New Delhi

India and Qatar have signed an agreement to forge cooperation in skill development and facilitate mobility of workers from India to the gulf nation.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Sunday.

Under the pact, Qatar will specify the areas in which it requires manpower and India will provide skill development to its nationals in those very areas before they go to the gulf country, an official said on Monday.

The agreement was signed between Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (India) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Qatar).

It aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries on skill development and mutual recognition of qualifications to facilitate mobility of skilled workers from the Republic of India to the state of Qatar, an official release said.

The cooperation also envisions establishing mechanisms for recognition of skills (with certificates from Qatar) for workforce who have not undergone any formal skill training but are already working in Qatar, it said.

The two nations will cooperate on knowledge sharing and capacity building support for the national qualifications frameworks of respective nations, it added.

The pact shall promote access to respective databases for exchange of information on demand and supply skilled workforce.

The State of Qatar will provide data on employers and jobs available (demand side) while the Republic of India will provide data on skilled and certified workforce (supply side).

“Qatar is home to Indian expatriate community of nearly 5,45,000 people — the largest expatriate community in the Qatar. Recognition of Indian skill qualifications in Qatar would empower certified workers to access employment opportunities in the Qatar.

“As Qatar would be the host country for FIFA World Cup, 2022, the demand for skilled workers particularly in job roles related to construction would increase steadily,” Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

The detailed implementation framework pertaining to the agreement shall be developed by a joint working group after due consultation with concerned ministries, which will establish and oversee the implementation framework of activities and determine its cost, the release said.

Periodic review, assessment and monitoring of the implementation will be ensured by the Committee, it added. PTI