Tokyo (21 February, 2014): A PJBF Business Seminar in collaboration with JETRO, JICA and JBPCC was held here Friday. More than 130 representatives of Japanese entrepreneurs participated in the Seminar. Ambassador Farukh Amil in his welcome address highlighted the history of Pakistan-Japan business relations and the focused priorities of the new Government on business. He urged the Japanese companies to keep up the momentum created by their active participation in EXPO 2013. He said Pakistan offered immense opportunities for business and investment. Although there were many areas where investment could be made but he specifically stressed the energy and infrastructure sectors because of the fast developing N-11 economy, Pakistan required more regional connectivity and electricity for its emerging industrial and commercial needs. In this context the Ambassador highlighted the Government’s top priority for the energy sector.
The Ambassador reiterated that Pakistan offered many opportunities for investors such as a youthful population, lower labour costs, and educated workforce. Referring to the meeting of the two Prime Ministers in New York, the Ambassador underlined the need to reinvigorate the mutually agreed agenda of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields including the trade and business.
Mr. Sohail P Ahmad Chairman, Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) informed the participants that the current SME delegation visit will not only raise awareness about Pakistan and its market, but will result in arousing enough interest amongst Japanese entrepreneurs to culminate in business ventures with the members of the visiting delegation.
Mr. Wataru Yoshida, on behalf Japan-Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee (JPBCC) welcomed the large number of Japanese companies which attended the event. He informed that the Government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had steadily carried out structural changes gaining support from the IMF which was a healthy sign towards economic stability. He assured that JPBCC would continue to support all such activities, which encouraged the business community from both countries to engage in closer communication.
Secretary BOI informed the audience that the Government of Pakistan has been pursuing a very liberal and transparent investment policy. He explained that Pakistan has great potential for foreign investment due to its geographic location, trained work force and general economic outlook. He assured the participants that the Government of Pakistan would continue to extend maximum facilitation and provide every possible support in realizing their investment objectives.
The Ambassador together with the Chairman PJBF called on Mr. Kazuo Kaneko President HIDA, Vice Chairman Japan Textile Importers Association (JTIA); Mr. Toshihiko Kita, Chairman Economic Cooperation Committee, Japan Foreign Trade Council (JFTC) and Mr. Haideto Nakahara, Chairman, Policy Sub-committee on South Asia Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN). In all these meetings the business potential of Pakistan was stressed, in particular the need for Japan to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
