Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan highly values its longstanding partnership with Japan. He was talking to a delegation led by President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr. Tanaka Akihiko in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan has successfully overcome difficult economic challenges and is rapidly progressing through reforms to achieve sustainable economic growth. The Prime Minister highlighted that providing youth with skills, technical training, and dignified employment opportunities, alongside empowering women, remains a top priority for the government.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the development of the minerals sector is among the government's priorities and welcomed JICA's technical cooperation in this regard. Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif noted that reforms have been introduced in the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), transforming it into an active and effective institution for the development and promotion of small and medium-sized businesses.

The JICA President acknowledged the international community's appreciation, including Japan's, for Pakistan and its leadership's efforts for peace in the Middle East.