JICA President, Maryam Nawaz to broaden cooperation in critical sectors

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had a meeting with Akihiko Tanaka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and his delegation here on Tuesday to review the ongoing development projects in Punjab and methods to enhance future cooperation.

Chief minister receives JICA mission in Lahore. The meeting evaluated ongoing development projects in the State of Punjab financed by JICA, public welfare activities and areas of cooperation in priority sectors.

The two sides reviewed progress on water supply projects in Faisalabad and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in education, health, nutrition, women empowerment and human resource development.

Nawaz said he was interested to extend the Faisalabad model of water supply, sanitation and urban infrastructure to other cities of Punjab with the assistance of JICA. She applauded the agency’s role in improving maternity and child health, access to safe drinking water, excellent education, gender equality and women’s empowerment. “Punjab government wants to further strengthen this partnership,” she said.

Nawaz stated that JICA’s support for development of Punjab is noteworthy and its cooperation in the areas of technology transfer, training and institutional reforms is greatly appreciated. She also said that educating girls and children in underprivileged communities is among the top goals of the provincial government.

During the meeting, Tanaka reaffirmed JICA’s continued commitment to further enhance cooperation with the Punjab government in the areas of education, health care, women empowerment and human resource development.