Latest news with #JICA
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
JICA sending team for economic assessment
ISLAMABAD: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is reportedly dispatching its Mission to prepare an assessment report on Pakistan's economic situation, which the government claims has improved significantly. JICA's local office has intimated to Pakistani authorities, representatives of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and industry (FPCCI) that JICA Headquarters, Tokyo, has decided to dispatch a five-member Macro-Economic Review Mission to undertake Micro Review of Pakistan. The Mission is scheduled to stay in Pakistan from July 30 - August 6, 2025. Some local staff from JICA Pakistan will also be accompanying them. JICA commemorates 70 years of its ODA to Pakistan The names and designations of Mission Members are as follows ;(i) Tsuji Kensuke, Deputy Director General, Credit Risk Analysis and Environmental Review Department, JICA Headquarters; (ii) Tanaka Tomoaki, Economist/ Deputy Director, Macroeconomic Analysis Division, Credit Risk Analysis and Environmental Review Department, JICA HQ; (iii) Dr Ono Saori Economist, Macroeconomic Analysis Division, Credit Risk Analysis and Environmental Review Department, JICA Headquarters; and (iv) Dr Ishi Shogo, Consultant, JICA Headquarters. During their stay, the Mission would hold discussions with relevant authorities, including Ministries, banks, organisations, and donors. The purpose of this Mission is to assess and monitor the country's macroeconomic situation. The Mission is expected to hold meetings with State Bank of Pakistan's team (SBP) led by Governor, President & CEO, National Bank of Pakistan, Rehmat Ali Hasnie; President, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Muhammad Nasir Saleem; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Rehan Sheikh; President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Atif Ikram Sheikh; Resident Representative, Mahi Binici; Country Director World Bank, Bolormaa Amgaarbazar; Country Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Emma Xiaoqin; Chief Economist, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Dr Imtiaz Ahmad; Secretary Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Jamil Qureshi; Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Langrial; Member Inland Revenue Policy (FBR), Dr Najeeb Ahmad Memon; Finance Ministry's team led by Secretary Finance, Imdadullah Bosal; Secretary Power Division, Dr Fakhray Alam Irfan and Additional Secretary Incharge, Secretary Petroleum Momin Agha. The Mission will also hold meetings with Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Jetro and Marubini and Japanese Bank MUFG Bank, formerly known as the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishietc. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt to launch 5-year Japanese-inspired engineering diploma in September
Egypt signed a cooperation protocol with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Tuesday to launch a five-year Japanese-inspired engineering diploma in September for post-preparatory school students. The Industry Ministry's Productivity and Vocational Training Authority (PVTD) and the cabinet's Education Development Fund (EDF) have signed the protocol with the JICA. Per the agreement, the PVTD, in coordination with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, will host the first group of students from the Egyptian-Japanese KOZEN Institute at its centre in 10th of Ramadan City in September for the advanced engineering programme. The KOZEN programme is a five-year advanced engineering education system inspired by Japan's system, focusing on early field exposure for post-preparatory school students. The diploma qualifies graduates to enrol in technological universities, engineering faculties, and computer science colleges. A cabinet statement said this strategic partnership aims to significantly improve the quality of graduates and align education with local, regional, and international labour market needs in relevant specialities. Moreover, the protocol includes advanced training programmes in microelectronics, semiconductors, green energy, and solar panels. It also aims to exchange knowledge, build students' capacity, and develop trainers for KOZEN instructors. Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif, and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour also attended the signing ceremony of the protocol. During the ceremony, El-Wazir stated that the initiative marks a significant milestone in the history of Egyptian industry and technical education, as it helps provide a skilled technical workforce to meet market needs. He added that it aligns with Egypt's vision for industrial advancement, which focuses on qualifying human resources by developing vocational training programmes in collaboration with the ministry. El-Wazir further emphasized the importance of benefiting from the Japanese experience in training technical labour to increase demand for Egyptian labour domestically and abroad. He also affirmed the ministry's commitment to upgrading training at the PVTD centres and enhancing labs to produce technically proficient graduates. "This aligns with the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations, requiring imports to meet green manufacturing standards starting in 2027," he said. International cooperation For his part, Minister Ashour praised this cooperation as a successful model of partnership with JICA, highlighting Japan's leadership in this area. He pointed to the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, which qualifies students for the Egyptian, regional, and African labour markets. He stated that 40 cooperation protocols have previously been signed with major private sector investors to operate vocational training centres, aiming to help meet industry labour demands by developing trainers, engineers, and new specialisations. Meanwhile, Minister Abdel-Latif emphasized the ministry's strong focus on the technical education sector as a cornerstone of Egypt's economic and industrial future, the statement said. He highlighted the ministry's adoption of a new vision for technical education and the establishment of an internationally standardized education system that offers globally recognized certifications to graduates. Abdel-Latif also commended the effectiveness of the cooperation with Japan through the KOZEN model, as well as with Italy through the Don Bosco model, one of the most successful and long-standing systems in Egypt. Additionally, he affirmed that the ministry is working to expand cooperation with Germany and that new technical education schools and centres of excellence will be created with international standards. In May, Egypt and Germany signed a 118 million euro financial cooperation agreement in the education and energy sectors. This includes a 32 million euro grant to establish 25 Egyptian centres of excellence for supporting technical education. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Japan Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan's aid agency to issue ¥23 bil Africa-support bonds in August
The Japan International Cooperation Agency will issue bonds worth around 23 billion yen ($160 million) next month to raise funds for infrastructure, education and other development needs of African nations. The bond issuance will coincide with Japan's cohosting of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Aug 20-22. Government-backed JICA is hoping to target local governments, regional financial institutions and Japanese companies that are seeking to invest in the fast-growing, resource-rich continent and encourage them to purchase the bonds, with maturities of either three or five years. "As Africa, with its large young population, holds significant growth potential, support (through the bonds) will help Japanese companies expand into the region," said Motohiro Matsumura, director of JICA's Planning and TICAD Process Division. The issuance volume of the Africa TICAD bonds is expected to nearly double from 12 billion yen, issued under a similar scheme in 2019, when the international conference known as TICAD was last held in Japan. Part of the funds raised through the bonds then was used to finance projects such as the construction of a bridge over the Nile River in Uganda to support logistics, and in the building of geothermal infrastructure in Kenya. For this time, JICA plans to use the bonds also to promote Japanese-style education that fosters discipline through school activities and provide loans to farmers via financial institutions. Cohosted by Japan and several multinational organizations, TICAD has been held every three years since its fifth session in 2013. Prior to that, the conference took place every five years following its launch in 1993. © KYODO
The Mainichi
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan's aid agency to issue 23 bil. yen Africa-support bonds in Aug.
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan International Cooperation Agency will issue bonds worth around 23 billion yen ($160 million) next month to raise funds for infrastructure, education and other development needs of African nations. The bond issuance will coincide with Japan's cohosting of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Aug. 20-22. Government-backed JICA is hoping to target local governments, regional financial institutions and Japanese companies that are seeking to invest in the fast-growing, resource-rich continent and encourage them to purchase the bonds, with maturities of either three or five years. "As Africa, with its large young population, holds significant growth potential, support (through the bonds) will help Japanese companies expand into the region," said Motohiro Matsumura, director of JICA's Planning and TICAD Process Division. The issuance volume of the Africa TICAD bonds is expected to nearly double from 12 billion yen, issued under a similar scheme in 2019, when the international conference known as TICAD was last held in Japan. Part of the funds raised through the bonds then was used to finance projects such as the construction of a bridge over the Nile River in Uganda to support logistics, and in the building of geothermal infrastructure in Kenya. For this time, JICA plans to use the bonds also to promote Japanese-style education that fosters discipline through school activities and provide loans to farmers via financial institutions. Cohosted by Japan and several multinational organizations, TICAD has been held every three years since its fifth session in 2013. Prior to that, the conference took place every five years following its launch in 1993.
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan's aid agency to issue 23 bln yen Africa-support bonds in Aug
TOKYO: The Japan International Cooperation Agency will issue bonds worth around 23 billion yen (US$160 million) next month to raise funds for infrastructure, education and other development needs of African nations, Kyodo News Agency reported. The bond issuance will coincide with Japan's cohosting of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Aug 20-22. Government-backed JICA is hoping to target local governments, regional financial institutions and Japanese companies that are seeking to invest in the fast-growing, resource-rich continent and encourage them to purchase the bonds, with maturities of either three or five years. "As Africa, with its large young population, holds significant growth potential, support (through the bonds) will help Japanese companies expand into the region," said Director of JICA's Planning and TICAD Process Division Motohiro Matsumura. The issuance volume of the Africa TICAD bonds is expected to nearly double from 12 billion yen, issued under a similar scheme in 2019, when the international conference known as TICAD was last held in Japan. Part of the funds raised through the bonds then was used to finance projects such as the construction of a bridge over the Nile River in Uganda to support logistics, and in the building of geothermal infrastructure in Kenya. For this time, JICA plans to use the bonds also to promote Japanese-style education that fosters discipline through school activities and provide loans to farmers via financial institutions. Cohosted by Japan and several multinational organisations, TICAD has been held every three years since its fifth session in 2013. Prior to that, the conference took place every five years following its launch in 1993. — BERNAMA
