ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (APP): The 8th Pakistan–Japan government–business joint dialogue was held in Tokyo marking the first convening of the dialogue in Tokyo since 2018.
According to details, the dialogue was co-chaired by Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry, and Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of economy, trade and industry of Japan, with the participation of Abdul Hameed and senior officials and private-sector representatives from both sides.
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, improving the trade and investment environment, and advancing practical, follow-up oriented engagement between Pakistan and Japan.
During the Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic relations, with a focus on improving the trade and investment environment and advancing practical cooperation.
The Pakistani side outlined Pakistan’s economic priorities and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and information technology. The Japanese side shared perspectives on the operating environment for Japanese companies in Pakistan and discussed areas where continued engagement and follow-up could further facilitate business activity.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement, supported by close coordination with the private sector, to advance mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan.
Following the Joint Dialogue, the Pakistan Business Forum was held in Tokyo. The Forum was co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), with the cooperation of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and was attended by Japanese and Pakistani business leaders.
The Forum featured remarks by Ms. Okumura Akiko, Executive Vice President of JETRO, and Mr. Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, as well as a message from Mr. Akira Terakawa, Chairman of the Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee. Mr. Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce, delivered remarks as Guest of Honour.
The Pakistan Business Forum also included selected sectoral presentations highlighting practical cooperation between Japanese and Pakistani partners. A presentation by Komatsu outlined ongoing and planned engagement in Pakistan’s mining sector, including long-term operations, technology deployment, and workforce development. Pak Suzuki Motor Company shared an overview of its biogas pilot initiative in Pakistan, focused on converting agricultural and livestock waste into alternative fuel and organic fertilizer. The Forum also featured a presentation by the Trade and Investment Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo on “From Trade to Investment: Building Japan–Pakistan Joint Value Chains.”
The Forum concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Abdul Hameed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, who highlighted the importance of sustained engagement, trust-building, and long-term partnership in advancing Pakistan–Japan economic cooperation. He also referred to the latest findings of the JETRO Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies Operating Overseas (2025), which indicate improved profitability outlook and expansion intentions among Japanese companies operating in Pakistan, reflecting growing business confidence and medium-term investment interest.
The successful conduct of the Dialogue and the Business Forum was supported by the active participation of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF), led by Murtaza Mandviwalla, which contributed to strong private-sector engagement from both sides.
