ISLAMABAD: Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Kuninori Matsuda called on the Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh here at the Ministry of Finance.
The Adviser welcomed the Ambassador and said that Japan is a time tested friend of Pakistan and has always supported the country. He expressed confidence that Pakistan’s relationship with Japan will continue to become stronger with every passing day.
The Ambassador thanked the Adviser for his support and good wishes. The Ambassador expressed condolences on the loss of lives and property during the recent rains in Pakistan. He offered to help Pakistan in this time of need. The Ambassador expressed hope that with the regional peace and stable political situation regional trade will flourish, offering better opportunities to Pakistan.
The Adviser apprised the Ambassador on the state of the economy during the past year and how the government had made efforts to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Adviser apprised that before Covid-19 pandemic, our economy had started to move in the right direction. We had been successful in increasing our tax revenues, controlling our current account deficit, have generated primary surplus, controlled our expenditures, put a ban on borrowing from central bank and had been successful in creating a conducive environment for exports. He said he is very hopeful that Pakistan would regain stability and equilibrium as the number of active cases of Covid-19 are declining.
The Ambassador apprised that Japan intends to extend business relations with Pakistan. He informed that Japan wishes to import mangoes, rice, fish and textile products from Pakistan and requested to make arrangements at the ports that could facilitate agri-product exports. He then apprised the Adviser that Japan will extend help to Pakistan in providing debt relief and after the preliminary work on the initiative; an MOU will be formally signed with Pakistan. He assured all possible help and assistance to the government of Pakistan.
