PM Shehbaz seeks expanded JICA cooperation in skills, minerals and SME development

Minister Cheema invites JICA to join financing of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project alongside the ADB

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for expanded cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in skills development, mineral exploration and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), saying Pakistan's ongoing economic reforms had laid the foundation for sustainable growth.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, meeting a nine-member JICA delegation led by its President, Dr Tanaka Akihiko, in Islamabad, the premier said Pakistan greatly valued its more than seven-decade partnership with Japan and the Japanese development agency, and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral ties.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had overcome difficult economic challenges through "teamwork" and was now rapidly implementing reforms aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth.

He said government reforms had resulted in state revenues doubling in just three years.

The prime minister said providing young people with skills, technical training and dignified employment opportunities, alongside women's empowerment, remained among the government's top priorities.

He identified the minerals sector as another priority area and said Pakistan would welcome JICA's technical cooperation to help develop the industry.

Referring to reforms undertaken at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), PM Shehbaz said the organisation had been transformed into a more effective institution and expressed confidence that JICA's collaboration with SMEDA would help promote small and medium-sized businesses and boost exports.

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The prime minister also expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the recent earthquake in Japan. Dr Akihiko thanked PM Shehbaz for his message of condolence and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to the delegation during its visit to Pakistan.

He said JICA and Pakistan shared a long history of partnership and that the agency was ready to expand cooperation in health, education, urban and rural development, technical and vocational training and industrial development.

According to the PMO, Dr Akihiko said future cooperation would be aligned with the development priorities of both the federal and provincial governments. He also said Japan and the wider international community appreciated Pakistan and its leadership's efforts to promote peace in the Middle East.

اسلام آباد: 5 اگست 2026۔

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے جاپان انٹرنیشنل کوآپریشن ایجنسی (JICA) کے صدر ڈاکٹر تاناکا آکیہیکو (Dr Tanaka Akihiko ) کی قیادت میں 9 رکنی وفد کی آج اسلام آباد میں ملاقات ہوئی.

وفد سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم نے کہا کہ پاکستان جاپان اور جائیکا کے ساتھ… pic.twitter.com/dqNXHwpYSL

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 5, 2026

JICA invited to invest in ML-1

Earlier in the day, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema held talks with Dr Akihiko on expanding development cooperation, with discussions focusing on infrastructure, connectivity and technical assistance. Cheema invited JICA to join the financing of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project alongside the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners, saying the scheme would strengthen Pakistan's trade and industrial connectivity.

Dr Akihiko responded that the agency would consider the proposal.

Cheema also sought JICA's support for upgrading internet infrastructure in rural areas, arguing that better connectivity would help expand freelancing and e-commerce, and requested assistance with feasibility studies for major development projects.

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Dr Akihiko said feasibility studies were among JICA's core strengths and pledged the agency's support. The two sides also agreed to cooperate on training skilled labour and explored collaboration to promote tourism through the preservation of Gandhara art and heritage sites, with JICA welcoming the proposal.

Cheema praised JICA's longstanding contribution to Pakistan's development, while the agency commended the government's economic reform agenda, as both sides agreed to further strengthen the Pakistan-Japan development partnership.