PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 010-30

Islamabad: 3 August, 2010

         The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Korea have decided to co-finance Rs.10million to the Government of Pakistan to arrange a vocational training program for crises-affected people in the Malakand Division.

Organized by the Ministry of Communications of Pakistan, the vocational training offers three courses (Plumber/Pipe Fitter, Steel Fixer, and Operator Heavy Machinery) for 110 people from the Malakand Division.

Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Shin Un, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan and Mr. Sharif Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, attended the opening ceremony, today, on August 3, 2010.

Since a large number of people from the Malakand Division were displaced in the crises affected area, the reconstruction and the rehabilitation of the Malakand Division remain a great challenge. This training course is expected to help achieve these objectives.

At the opening ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador first expressed his deep condolences and sympathy to those who suffered from the recent floods and his hope for an early recovery. The Japanese Ambassador also hoped that the Malakand Division would be further secured and rebuilt as soon as possible. Rebuilding infrastructure is an initial step in reconstructing the Malakand Division, where graduates of this program could play an important role, the Ambassador said.

Japan and the Republic of Korea agreed, in April, 2009, to strengthen their cooperation in assisting Pakistan. Based on this agreement, the two Governments have decided to co-finance the project, expecting to strengthen the trilateral relationship between Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Japan, the Ambassador stated.

Ambassador Atsumi assured that the Government of Japan would continue to assist the reconstruction and rehabilitation in the Malakand Division.