Japanese car manufacturer played a key role in strengthening bilateral trade relations

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai, appreciating the contribution of Japanese car manufacturing company in Pakistan, highlighted its role in strengthening the bilateral trade and friendly relations between the two countries.

Addressing the Commendation Award Ceremony held at his residence last night, Takashi Kurai said the former Chief Executive/Managing Director of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited, Hirofumi Nagao has been awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY2017.

Nagao has been working for about 20 years in Pakistan as a representative of Pak Suzuki Motor Company in his three tenures. He served as an executive of Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) for 9 years, and has been appointed its president three times.

During his all tenures in Pakistan, of as long as 20 years, he has contributed not only to the development of Pakistan's automobile industry but also to strengthening of the overall economic relations between Japan and Pakistan, Japanese ambassador said.

The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.

Appreciating the role of Nagao, the ambassador said through his own experiences and knowledge, he supported the Japanese automobile companies to make investment to Pakistan and made tremendous efforts to upgrade the business environment for foreign companies through policy recommendations to the Government of Pakistan.

Suzuki is a pioneer of Japanese auto manufacturers in this country, he said. It participated in the 'Concept of People's Car initiative by the government of Pakistan in 1979 and started its production in 1982. Ever since it has contributed to the launch and development of the automobile industry of this country, promoted transfer of technology to local parts manufacturers and contributed to the creation of local employment, hiring about 3,000 employees in its group, he elaborated.

Moreover, he said the Corporate Social Responsibility Activities of Pak Suzuki in the fields of education, health-care and protection of environment have been well accepted and highly appreciated in Pakistan. Its activities included provision of educational equipment and ambulance cars, offer of vocational training for under privileged students, and award of scholarships, he added.

In closing, I would like to reiterate our appreciation to Nagao and Pak Suzuki, for all these activities I have mentioned, particularly for the contribution to promoting of economic ties and strengthening of the existing good relations of mutual trust between Japan and Pakistan, the ambassador concluded.