SIALKOT: Ambassador of Japan in Pakistan Hirsohi Inomata has said that Japan is very keen to boost trade ties with Pakistan and stressed the need for making sincere efforts to promote the “hurdle-free” trade between Pakistan and Japan.
He also offered full cooperation in finding the opportunities to promote mutual trade by ensuring easy access of Gujranwala exporters to the Japanese markets.
He said that the Japan was making the pivotal role of both JICA and JETRO for business promotion between Pakistan and Japan, besides developing business to business contacts between the businessmen of both countries.
He stated this while addressing an important meeting of Gujranwala business community held at Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) here. GCCI President Khawaja Khalid Hassan and others were also present on this occasion.
Japanese Ambassador added that the Japan was intending to develop the mutual trade ties with Pakistan, saying that the Japan would provide full technical assistance and guidance for modernizing the Sialkot’s export industries.
Mr. Hiroshi Inomata added that Japan was focusing on broadening the scope of mutual cooperation by extending it to the areas of trade, investment, energy and infrastructure development with Pakistan.
He said that the time was high for further strengthening the mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Japan.
Japanese Envoy said that there was a huge scope for establishing joint ventures and business cooperation between Japan and Pakistani companies. Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata discussed in details the matters of mutual interest with Gujranwala business community.
On this occasion, GCCI President Khawaja Khalid Hassan said that Japanese Ambassador’s visit to GCCI would help in expansion of bilateral trade between Japan and Pakistan by opening new avenues of economic and trade cooperation. Undoubtedly, promotion of trade depends on better coordination, interaction, and understanding among business communities of the two countries.
GCCI President added that Japan had ever been at the forefront whenever Pakistan was in need. He hoped that the relations between the two countries would further strengthen, flourishing on mutual trust and collaboration of private sector.
Khawaja Khalid Hassan revealed that Japan was the world’s third-largest economy, having achieved remarkable growth in second half of the 20th Century. Japan was an important trading partner of Pakistan. However, the trade volume between the two countries is far below the potential. Despite having immense prospects of growth, the trade balance remains in the favor of Japan.
GCCI President emphasized that it was high time for the two countries to focus on broadening the scope of mutual cooperation by extending it to the areas of trade, investment, energy and infrastructure development including all other sectors of interest. To make progress in this regard, GCCI President suggested for active engagements of the Japan and Pakistan Chambers, which could act as resource base for exchanging information. Exchange of trade delegations and holding of joint trade exhibitions would also help in promoting bilateral trade.