Press release

Embassy and Consulate General of Japan jointly organized a Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) Press Tour in Karachi on January 27th, 2016

Islamabad: 27th January 2016

On January 27th, Embassy of Japan in Islamabad and Consulate General of Japan in Karachi jointly organized an ODA Press Tour in Karachi in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in which 8 journalist from newspaper and TV channels participated.

The purpose of the ODA Press Tour was to increase media’s awareness on Japanese Government Assistance Projects/Initiatives in Pakistan, showing the reality of the project sites to journalists. Furthermore, it was also intended to inform the Pakistani people about the contribution of Japan toward improving Pakistan’s development in various areas, through media.

This time, 8 journalists, together with the members of the Embassy, Consulate General and JICA, undertook the 1-day tour and visited 2 projects and project-related sites, which are (1) Landhi Cattle Colony to show the concept of the JICA Project on Sustainable Livestock Development for Rural Sindh and (2) Head Office of NGO “Aman Foundation” who were provided with 2 ambulances by the Consulate General under the Grant Assistance for the Grass-Roots Human Security Project (GGP).

During the visit, JICA experts on Livestock explained to the journalists the background, purpose and significance of the project. They said, “In Pakistan, the livestock sector contributes greatly to the Pakistani Economy and it occupies around 50% of the value addition of the total agricultural sector and 11% of the national GDP. In spite of that, there remain many spaces to improve, particularly for the small-scale farmers occupying the majority in this sector. In response to these circumstances, according to a request form Government of Pakistan, the Japanese government undertook making the Master Plan on Livestock, Meat and Dairy Development in Sindh Province in 2011 and has started this 5-year project (2014-2019) for the development of the appropriate technologies toward the sustainable livestock development in Sindh.”

Staff of Aman Foundation expressed the appreciation to the Government of Japan for the provision of ambulances, saying “These are the only ambulances in Pakistan that have a space for doctor and nurse so that they can see the patients in the vehicle. Thanks to this function, many patients have been saved.”

Mr. Hiroaki Kawashima, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan who accompanied the journalists, said “Government of Japan has contributed to the development of Pakistan in various areas. The projects we visited are a few examples of our assistance. I hope the people of Pakistan will know more about our assistance, especially the diligence with which the Japanese experts are working together with Pakistani people in betterment of Pakistan. The increase in awareness regarding the assistance of Japan among Pakistani people will strengthen furthermore the friendship between Pakistan and Japan.”   

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