By: The Kabul Times
KABUL: President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani discussed momentous projects of Japan in Afghanistan in a meeting with Shinichi Kitaoka, the chairman of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo, the capital of Japan here yesterday, a presidential statement said.
The president believed that Afghanistan can take advantage of Japan’s successful models and approaches in agriculture, water management and irrigation, dam construction, reforestation, land and urban development, and mining, the statement added.
President Ghani described Japan as a steadfast friend and strategic partner of Afghanistan and extended gratitude to the country for its multifaceted cooperation and assistance in different fronts, particularly within the past 18 years.
The president talked over the Afghan government’s progress in land sector, urban development plans for five large cities of the country, modification and passing legislation pieces and urged Japan to share its experience and successful models in those areas.
He added following the amendment of the Mining Law, Afghanistan is keen to attract foreign investments in this sector and called on the Japanese investors and private sector to make investment in this area, particularly on rare earth materials such as Lithium, according to the statement from the presidential press office.
The JICA chairman welcomed the president to Japan and assured on their cooperation with Afghanistan in various areas including agricultural development, land management as well as training Afghan students to enable them to learn those models and apply them in their own country.
According to another report, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani also met with Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the Komeito party during his visit to Japan and discussed Afghanistan-Japan cooperation, and cultural and historical relations.
Natsuo Yamaguchi affirmed Komeito party’s commitment to provide political support for any development initiative of the Japanese government for Afghanistan, the presidential statement added.
President Ghani hailed the Komeito leader’s commitment for supporting Afghanistan and said Afghanistan seeks for a close relationship with all the countries in the world and the region in order to expand cooperation with those countries, the statement concluded.
