ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of assistance from Japan and the Japanese government's commitment to this effect would remain unchanged.

This was stated by Japanese Ambassador Nobuaki Tanaka while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th international course on Operation and Maintenance of Construction Machinery.

The course, organized under the Third World Countries Training programme, was held at the Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI), I-12, Islamabad. The one-month course was co-sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and government of Pakistan, while it was planned by the Ministry of Communications.

Participants came from a number of countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkey, Yemen Uganda, Kenya, Maldeves and Bhuttan. The course aims at imparting theoretical knowledge and practical training to the participants in operation, maintenance and management of construction machinery, leading to efficient utilization of these machines on projects.

Speaking on the occasion, the Japanese envoy said economic assistance programme was getting more systematic and organized, and it would effectively contribute towards eradicating poverty in developing countries.