Pakistan Japan Business Seminar – Special Initiative for Japanese Women was held on 13th July, 2014 at the Embassy of Pakistan under the auspices of the Economic Wing. The dual theme of the Seminar was to enhance business between the two countries and to encourage Japanese women to take advantage of the many opportunities of business available in Pakistan.
Ambassador Farukh Amil in his keynote speech spoke in detail about the current state of bilateral trade and opportunities for investment in Pakistan. He said, Pakistan, with its rich natural resource endowment and youthful population was the perfect partner for Japan, a country of renowned industrial capacity and technological progress. There would be complementary driving forces to engender strong trading relations, technology transfer and the optimum utilization of human resources. The Ambassador spoke at length on role of women in society. He said that Pakistan was a leader in the developing world with women in politics, industry and business setting a positive example for youth of tomorrow. He urged the Japanese business women to establish contact with Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) in Pakistan.
Presentations were made by three Japanese women. Ms. Mana Ogawa, CEO of the GirlsBee organization who promoted Japanese women to join the active ranks of the workforce by becoming what they most aspired. Ms. Rie Watanabe, CEO, RAD LIFEDESIGN who has business concerns in Hunza, presented it as an ideal spot for tourism and longevity enhancing fruits and herbs. Ms. Jun Kitamura, CEO of 4U WORLD having wide experience of business research in Pakistan shared her experiences with the audience.
A panel discussion was also held with Dr. Talat Imtiaz, Economic Minister, Ms. Watanabe, and Ms. Kitamura, as panelists. The topics under discussion were the business environment for women in Pakistan, the many hidden opportunities for business that exist there as being ideal for Japanese women. Dr. Talat Imtiaz spoke about the role of BOI in generating ease of business and its various incentives especially for foreign business in the Japan Special Economic Zone (JSEZ). She also invited Mr. Shehzad Ahmad Khan, Commercial Counselor to elaborate on EXPO-14 as an important venue and opportunity for foreign business men and women to see for themselves the many products and services showcased there and establish business relationships with Pakistan’s dynamic private sector.
A wide cross section of Japanese women and men attended the Seminar and showed great interest in the business opportunities, especially IT technology, intellectual property rights, transfer of technology, textiles, food-stuffs, art, tourism, halal beauty products and social work for education.
