Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) on Friday assured Pakistan its all-out assistance for replicating Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI) in major cities. JICA senior vice president Atsushi Hatakenaka gave this assurance during his meeting with Federal Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqui here.
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Seiji Kojima was also present on the occasion. Talking to visiting delegate, Shamim Siddiqui appreciated the Japanese government's contribution in strengthening Pakistan's economy and helping to improve road infrastructure, especially the technical and financial help provided in earthquake-hit areas, including construction of five bridges in Jhelum Valley in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He thanked JICA for providing technical support in finalising the national transport policy. The minister acknowledged that Japanese government had granted $35 million for the construction of 96 kilometers Kararo-Wadh road. The Japanese government has also given $176 million soft loan as well.
Siddiqui informed Atsushi Hatakenaka that one high-tech Construction Machinery Training Institute was working presently with the help of Japanese government at Islamabad, adding that the government intends to replicate this type of model institutions in all provincial capitals, AJK and Northern Areas.
Speaking on the occasion, JICA SVP assured Communications Minister all out support for providing all types of technical, research-oriented and financial help.
He gave firm assurances to extend maximum assistance for replicating CMTIs in other Pakistani cities. Atsushi said Japanese government felt friendly environment while working with Pakistan and they feel pleasure for their contribution towards strengthening Pakistan economy.