In continuing the Mission’s public and trade diplomacy efforts the Embassy team visited Okayama Prefecture. In order to materialize the initiative for first ever “Sister Cities” project between Kibi Chuo Cho Okayama Prefecture Japan and its counterpart rice growing city in Pakistan to promote exchanges of businesses, agriculture technology, culture and education Ambassador Farukh Amil visited Kibi Chuo Cho at the invitation of Mr. Masanoori Yamamoto Mayor of Kibi Chuo City, Okayama Prefecture.
The Ambassador was warmly welcomed at Okayama Airport by Vice Mayor Mr. Okada Kiyoshi and CEOs of Alem Japan and Halal Rice Powder Factory along with Airport Trainees waving Pakistan and Japan flags.
During the visit the Ambassador had a wide range of interaction/meetings with cross-section of the society including businessmen, CEOs of Halal rice powder and Halal bread factories, students, academics and members of Pakistani community and the media.
In a meeting with Mayor of Kibi Chuo City which was attended by Vice Mayor, Parliamentarian, CEOs and the media the Ambassador explored business potential particularly in the field of innovative agriculture and discussed further cooperation in micro, small and medium sized enterprises. The Ambassador underscored Pakistan was a huge market that offered excellent opportunities to Japanese businessmen in various sectors including the agriculture.
The Ambassador visited Kibi Hights (Care Centre for the Elderly) along with Mayor, Vice Mayor and other officials and appreciated the efforts of local administration for establishing an excellent facility for the first postwar generation that had restored Japanese greatness as a world economic power and had contributed immensely in the development of the peaceful Japanese society. Ambassador also visited Memorial Hall/ Museum dedicated to Mr. Kaheita Okazaki who was one of pioneers of business and aviation.
During the visits to Halal Rice Powder Factory and Alem Japan bread Factory, the Ambassador explored possibilities for future collaboration and affirmed his continued support for such initiatives. Later the Ambassador visited Kaga Junior High School and expressed appreciation for the establishment of a “Pakistan Corner” in the school library showing Pakistani culture, history and heritage with books in Japanese. He also gave a presentation on different and positive aspects of Pakistan to over a hundred students. Whilst highlighting the historical and cultural linkage between the two countries he said both the nations were connected from ancient times through the Ghandhara and Nara civilizations. The presentation was followed by a lively question-answer session. To commemorate the visit the Ambassador planted a Pakistan-Japan Friendship Tree on the premises of the school.
Separately the Ambassador held a meeting with members of community including academics/researchers at Okayama University. He informed them about the steps the Embassy had taken to facilitate issues affecting the community such as installation of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) facility. He reiterated that the Embassy would always be available to help the community to solve their legitimate problems.
