After successful launching of the “New Initiative” at Saitama, Embassy of Pakistan organized the second of the series “Pakistan Trade Seminar” in the Aichi Prefecture, in collaboration with the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Chubu Economic Federation (CEF), Aichi Prefectural Government, METI and JETRO. Aichi Prefecture with a GDP of USD 340 billion, surpassing many developed countries, is at the exact centre of Japan. It. has a rich natural environment and an abundant workforce which serves as a base for the well-balanced growth of industry, commerce and agriculture in the prefecture. In particular, Aichi has a particularly strong concentration of manufacturing-related companies and hence maintaining the No.1 position in Japan in terms of the value of its total shipments of manufactured products. Aichi is already home to more than 500 foreign-backed firms and continues to develop business activity.
Ambassador Farukh Amil, shared with the audience “The New SMEs Collaborative Model” of Pakistani and Japanese business community joining hands for enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He informed that the Pakistani community in Japan could play a galvanizing role for the promotion of Pakistan-Japan business due to its presence across Japan, its deep experience and knowledge of the Japanese language and business skills. In his presentation he presented the case of Pakistan as a reliable trade and investment partner, with a history of Pakistan-Japan’s long lasting friendship, socio-cultural bond and strong business relations. He said Pakistan offered immense opportunities for SMEs of Japan to promote their trade and investment. Although there were many areas where investment could be made but he specifically stressed the focused areas of the new Government i.e energy and infrastructure sectors. He urged the Japanese companies to visit Pakistan and keep up the momentum created by the active participation of Japanese companies in EXPO 2013. The Ambassador reiterated that Pakistan has a comparative advantage for being partner in prosperity with Japan, because of its available youthful population, lower labour costs, and educated workforce.
Mr Takashi Shimokyoda of METI informed the participants that the Government of Pakistan has been pursuing a business friendly investment policy by introducing investment friendly regulations and simplifying the regulatory practices. He said that Pakistan has carried out effective measures for protecting the prospective foreign investors so that they could get a congenial atmosphere to invest their capital. Mr. Kenji Ishizuka of JETRO 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 JETRO would continue to support all such activities, which encouraged the business community from both countries to engage in closer communication. Mr. Shehzad Ahmed, Commercial Counsellor emphasized on the geographic and strategic location of Pakistan. He informed that the Japanese companies could benefit not only by sourcing goods and services from Pakistan but also by doing joint ventures and exporting to the adjacent markets of Middle East and Africa.
Earlier the Ambassador had a meeting with the Vice Chairman NCCI Mr Hiroyasu Naito and Director General METI Mr Setsuo Iuchi. Mr Naito appreciated the Ambassador for arranging Trade Seminar in Nagoya, as the first ever event on Pakistan in the Aichi Prefecture. He informed that this prefecture is blessed with abundant nature and water resources and is characterized by harmony between industry and the environment. He informed that NCCI is aiming development of next generation industries with the support of SME’s overseas expansion and hence Pakistan to them was an active country for developing new relationships. He shared his optimism that this seminar would have important significance for all the participants.
