ISLAMABAD: Minoru Kiuchi, Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs called on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Welcoming the Japanese vice minister, Senator Ishaq Dar termed the relationship between the two countries as close and cordial. He thanked Japan for extending assistance in time of need and support for development projects in Pakistan.
Senator Ishaq also thanked Japan for supporting the recently concluded IMF programme with Pakistan. Dar said the depth of relationship between the two countries is not reflected in the current volume of trade which stands at $579 million. He stressed the need to explore avenues to further enhance bilateral trade and economic relations between Islamabad and Tokyo.
Japanese Vice Minister Minoru Kiuchi said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attaches great importance to the region especially Pakistan. Japan, he said views the region as a potential emerging economic region which can contribute towards the world economy.
The vice minister said that since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1952, both the countries have enjoyed good relations. Japan he said recognizes that the political and economic stability of Pakistan is significant for the prosperity of this region. He further said that the investors in Japan have high expectations from the present government in Pakistan and lauded the consolidation of democracy in the country.
Minoru Kiuchi, Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs reciprocated the views of Senator Ishaq Dar that there was an ample room to expand and strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
The senator said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has a vision to transform the economy of Pakistan and make it one of dynamic emerging economies of the world. In this connection he alluded to the manifesto of PML-N which clearly lays down a roadmap and a strategy to being out the country from its present economic problems and put it on a path of sustainable growth.
The prime minister, Dar said has been focusing to overcome the challenges faced in the energy sector as well as improvement in law and order in the country. In this connection he informed the Japanese vice minister that an All Parties Conference had unanimously come out with a resolve to address the law and order situation in the country.
Dilating on the economic agenda of the present government, Senator Ishaq Dar said that our manifesto stipulates enhancing economic relations with other countries based on the principle of “trade not aid”. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.
