Japanese companies interested to invest in Pakistan: Japanese Ambassador
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KARACHI: (APP The economic relations between Japan and Pakistan have grown over last couple of years and will further strengthen in future.
More Japanese companies were interested to invest in different sectors in Pakistan. However, there was need for more steps to increase bilateral trade and investment to tap big potential existing on both sides, said Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi KURAI here.
He was speaking at 9th annual general meeting of Pakistan Japan Business Forum (PJBF) on Monday night at the residence of PJBF's Vice President Kaleem Farooqui.
Consul General of Japan in Karachi Toshikazu Isomura, Country Director of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Osamu HISAKI, Marubeni Corporation's General Manager for Pakistan K.Ushimaru, PJBF's President Sohail P. Ahmed and its Vice President Kalim Farooqui were also present.
Japanese Ambassador said that for more involvement of Japanese companies with Pakistani market, mainly four things were required: better security situation, infrastructure development, stable, reliable and predictable legal system, and administrative measures.
And, he endorsed, there was visible improvement on these accounts.
"I came to Pakistan in last April, since then law and order has significantly improved. Still more needs to be done," he remarked.
He informed that eighty Japanese companies were operating in Pakistan; eighteen in Karachi. In Pakistan, Japanese companies were mainly engaged in auto sector. In fiscal year 2015-16, Japanese companies invested dollars 74 million in Pakistan.
"I hope, more Chinese companies will come to Pakistan," he said.
He said Japan was providing support to Pakistan in power sector as well.
Now, the shift of Japanese companies was to the fast moving consumers goods-- for which Pakistan was a potential market.
He told that an international brand Japanese milk powder producing company Morinaga Dairy was setting up a plant in Sheikhpura town of Punjab with initial investment of eight million dollars and would start its production in April 2018.
Panasonic had open its show room in Karachi in last October. Ajinomoto had entered a joint venture with Lakson Group in last July.
All Japanese automobile companies Suzuki, Honda and Toyota had introduced new car models to Pakistani market.
In fiscal year 2015, the bilateral trade was around two billion dollars and it would continue to grow, he was optimistic.
Japanese Ambassador said that on the eve of 65th anniversary of friendly relations between the two countries, Japanese Embassy and its consulates had planned many commemorative events on larger scale throughout Pakistan than the normal routine activities.
He said these cultural events would highlight the long and strong friendship of Japan and Pakistan, and the leadership of both the countries would realize to have more political contacts; which definitely would boost trade and investment.
On his behalf and of the embassy's staff, Japanese Embassador assured of full cooperation and support for promotion of bilateral trade and investment.
The Ambassador praised the role of PJBF in promoting two-way trade and investment.
He recalled that PJBF delegation led by its President Sohail P. Ahmed visited Japan last year and had meetings with Japanese companies which motivated them to take interest in Pakistani products.
That, an agreement was signed between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the two countries.
