RAWALPINDI, March 28: The future projects of Japan International Cooperation Agency in Pakistan will be linked with the success of local government system, the Jica resident representative Masataka Nakahara said on Thursday.

He was talking to reporters after presiding over the closing ceremony of a course on “operation and maintenance of construction machinery.”

Mr Masataka said they had been closely monitoring the local government system as almost all the agency projects in the country depended on its working.

Asked about the progress of the new system of governance, he said it was too early to pass any judgment. However, he added that it was working smoothly.

The Jica representative said the Japanese government had to suspend its assistance to Pakistan after the latter conducted nuclear tests, but it was restored in October 2001, and now work was under way on all its projects.

He said some of their projects were being run in collaboration with different government organizations and NGOs, whereas some were being undertaken independently. The main sectors where Jica is working include health, education, environment, poverty alleviation, construction, and science and technology.

Earlier, speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Masataka said the course on operation and maintenance of construction machinery would go a long way in cementing ties between the countries of the region. Such courses help a lot in sharing of information and expertise among the third world countries, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Construction Machinery Training Institute director Mudesarul Haq underlined the importance of communications in the modern era. He said, “communications has become life-giving blood stream for any modern civilization and is a major drawing force for economic growth. The development of any country can be measured from the quality and length of roads it has.”

He stressed the need to hold more such courses to promote construction technology in the country. He said it was the 7th course arranged by the institute.

About 10 participants from seven countries — Indonesia, Kenya, Mayyamar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Jordan and Bangladesh — participated in it.

In the end, certificates were awarded to the participants.