ISLAMABAD: Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Wada Mitsuhiro paid a courtesy call on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema on Wednesday and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Senior Officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs also attended the meeting.
The meeting started with a warm welcome extended by the Minister for Economic Affairs to the Ambassador, recognizing and appreciating the longstanding cooperation between the two countries, which spans over seven decades since its inception in 1954.
Minister Cheema highlighted the shared values and perspectives between the two countries on various global matters and stressed on the significance of Japan’s economic assistance to Pakistan. He said that Pakistan attached great importance to the economic aid extended by the Government of Japan.
In response, the envoy reaffirmed Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Pakistan in mutually agreed priority sectors such as education, environment, health, and water.
He further apprised the minister of the implementation progress of the ongoing development portfolio funded by the Government of Japan including Japan’s special aid package provided in the wake of the devastating 2022 floods and the scholarships program for the capacity building of the civil service officers of the Government of Pakistan.
Pakistan Dedicated to Closely Collaborate with Japan
Expressing gratitude, Cheema assured him of Pakistan’s dedication to closely collaborate with the Government of Japan, ensuring the effective implementation and review of ongoing projects while further strengthening bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed to convene the next session of the Japan-Pakistan High-Level Economic Policy Dialogue at the earliest opportunity.
