PM Shehbaz, JICA President discuss expanded cooperation in skills, SMEs and development

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a nine-member delegation led by JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko and reviewed Pakistan-Japan development cooperation. The prime minister said Pakistan values its seven-decade partnership with Japan and JICA and hoped the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations. He highlighted ongoing economic reforms, growth in government revenues, youth skills development, technical training, women’s empowerment, minerals, and SME reforms. The prime minister welcomed JICA’s technical cooperation in these sectors, especially support for SMEDA to promote small businesses and exports. Dr. Tanaka said JICA was ready to expand cooperation in health, education, urban and rural development, technical training, and industry according to federal and provincial priorities.