Dawood Invites Japanese Businesses To Explore Huge Opportunities In Trade, Investment In Pakistan

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Trade, Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday underscored the importance of furthering trade and investment relations between Japan and Pakistan and invited Japanese businesses to explore the huge opportunities in trade and investment in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2018 ) :Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Trade, Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday underscored the importance of furthering trade and investment relations between Japan and Pakistan and invited Japanese businesses to explore the huge opportunities in trade and investment in Pakistan.

The Advisor was speaking at a seminar, "Trade & Investment Opportunities in Pakistan," at the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) of Japan, a message reaching here from Tokyo said.

The seminar was jointly organized by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), METI, Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce & Textiles and the Embassy of Pakistan in Japan. Around 200 participants primarily from the Japan business community attended the seminar.

Pakistan's massive investment in infrastructure projects with the potential to make Pakistan a regional hub for trade and investment was highlighted.

While highlighting Pakistan's economic credentials like positive macro- economic trends, growing potential of the local market, vibrant demography, low productivity costs, availability of rich natural resources and a liberal investment regime, the Adviser said that out of all the G-7 countries, Pakistan had a long standing trade and investment relationship with Japan.

He said that there was a need to build upon the reserve of historical linkages, goodwill, understanding and respect for brand Japan in Pakistan. Adviser also elaborated the economic agenda of the new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and how it was determined to overcome the current economic challenges through peace oriented, investment friendly, development focused and people centered strategies.

The Advisor while underscoring that the balance sheets of Multi National Corporations in Pakistan itself reflect that they are making profits and invited the Japanese investors to explore huge opportunity in trade and investment.

He underlined that Pakistan had graduated from its traditional sectors of textile and leather to the export of engineering goods.

The Advisor also invited Japanese companies to look into the IT Sector, small and medium enterprises and agriculture value chains for investment.� The current presence of 86 Japanese companies in Pakistan with some enhancing their investments while new ones entering the Pakistani market coupled with JETRO's recent annual survey ranking Pakistan as the first in terms of business growth expectation, profitability and local employment was also highlighted Yasushi Akahoshi, President of JETRO followed by Akimasa Ishikawa, Parliamentary Vice Minister ofMETI made the opening remarks. Teruo Asada, Chairman, Japan-Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee and Chairman, Marubeni Corporation also delivered a speech on trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The seminar concluded with an inquisitive Q&A Session followed by well attended networking session between the visiting Pakistani businessmen and local Japanese businesses.