Dhaka: Speakers at a seminar on Saturday lauded the role of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the socio-economic development of the SAARC countries.

JICA Alumni Association of Bangladesh and JICA Alumni Associations Forum of SAARC countries jointly organised the seminar titled ‘The Role of JICA in Socio-economic Development of the SAARC countries’ at city’s BIAM auditorium.

Public Works Department Additional Chief Engineer Syed Mahfuz Ahmad presented the key note paper at the seminar.

In keynote paper Mahfuz said JICA has been contributing to the development of Bangladesh through economic and technical cooperation and become the major development partner.

The overall goal of JICA is to accelerate sustainable economic growth with equity and bringing people out of poverty towards a middle income country and to overcome social vulnerability, he added.

He said JICA has been contributing to urban development, education sector, health, agricultural and rural development and in the field of good governance.

JICA has closely been working with Anit-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh for establishing good governence, added Mahfuz Ahmad.

He said JICA has 25 running projects, including Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, in the country.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi said JICA alumni association is playing important role for the development of livelihood and economy of the region.

JAAFSC Revival Committee convener M Ejar Uddin,JICA alumni association of Bangladesh general secretary Dr M Aminul Islam and members of other SAARC countries were present.