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JICA to cooperate in uplift of port, road and railway networks

KARACHI: A delegation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government entity comprising of Shozo Kawasaki, Shinya Nakamura and Tetsuro Izawa visited Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for gathering of data to prepare feasibility to cooperate with Pakistan in order to develop the communication network viz. ports, roads and railway track directly connected and en route to Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asian Republics.

Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, President KCCI welcomed and apprised them about the role of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry to promote trade and industry. President KCCI informed that a developed network of roads does exist in Pakistan but the railway is the most neglected area by the public sector and the Government ever since the inception of Pakistan. Hence, Japanese should seriously consider revamping the infrastructure of railways.

He emphasized that railway can act as a lifeline for communication as it is the most economical mode of transportation for masses and for handling the multidimensional cargo to upcountry. He suggested that Japan, having the most modern network of railway, shall provide assistance or invest in railways for its development throughout the country on BOT basis.

Majid also suggested that some motorway projects are under construction viz. from Karachi to Lahore, and Quetta highway and Gwader to Quetta and Karachi highway. After completion of the said motorways, the consignments from Gwader Ports will timely be transported to all corners of the country. He added that the Superhighway and Indus Highway which are the main highways to upcountry need further development as all the upcountry consignments are transported through the said highways. He also expressed gratitude to Japanese Government and business community for deep- rooted friendly relationship. He focused that Japanese brands are very popular in the eyes of Pakistan people and they prefer their products such as automobile, electronics, electrical or machineries used in home and industrial concerns.

He was of the view that the a perception is building in Pakistani Business Community that Japans interest to further strengthen the bilateral relationship has dwindled, therefore to spurn the perception, Japan should initiative new projects in public and private sector in Pakistan. He, on the behalf of KCCI, assured cooperation to JICA for its study mission to compile feasibility regarding the effective setup and development of communication interlinked with its neighbouring countries.

Senior Vice President, Rasheeduddin Rashid informed that the twin ports of Karachi viz. Karachi Port and Port Qasim are fully capable of handling all sorts of cargo i.e. solid state, liquid and other forms. He said that the Government is also planning to construct another port namely Ketty Bunder for with Japan can provide its expertise. He asserted that Japan should enter into new joint ventures in the public as well as private sector.

Shozo Kawasaki, Senior Representative of JICA informed that they were on a mission to collect date in order to compile feasibility to cooperate with Pakistan on communication network which is interconnected with Afghanistan for roads, railways and ports. He said that they already had meetings with Government and public sector and collected information and visited KCCI to get an insight of views of private sector for the project. He informed that a comprehensive report will be submitted to Japanese Government for further deliberations to find out the workability of the project. The study will explore as to how Japan could cooperate with Pakistan, which should be beneficial to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since Afghanistan is a land-lock country therefore, Pakistani ports, road and railway network would be effectively used for trade and logistic support for Afghanistan. staff report

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