Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, met today, Thursday, with the Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of embassy staff, and representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Ministry of Planning stated in a statement that "during the meeting, which was attended by the Director General of Government Investment Programs Adel Abdul Zaid, and the Director General of International Cooperation Saher Abdul Kadhim, prospects for joint cooperation between the two friendly countries in various fields were discussed, and work to attract more Japanese companies to invest in Iraq." The statement added, "The two sides discussed the role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in implementing a number of service projects, including a number of hospitals and power stations." Source: National Iraqi News Agency