ISLAMABAD: Matsuda Kuinori, ambassador of Japan to Pakistan called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar in his office at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on Friday, said a press release. Both exchanged views on diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

The ambassador apprised the minister that the Government of Japan had extended grant assistance of worth $4.7 million for provision of machinery and equipment for waste management of the Metropolitan Cooperation Islamabad.

He also expressed the hope that bilateral economic ties between Pakistan and Japan would be enhanced especially in the field of export and import substitute industries, and natural calamities risk management in the future.

The federal minister thanked and appreciated the Government of Japan and the people of Japan for their support with assurance of extending facilitation for more meaningful cooperation in testing time of the pandemic.

The minister expressed that Pakistan valued close and friendly relations with Japan that would be strengthened in multiple fields including energy, trade, industries, irrigation, water and sanitation, security, and social sector of Pakistan.

The minister voiced hope that Japanese companies could take advantage of huge domestic market as well as export potential considering Pakistan having FTAs and GSP plus status with European Union countries.

Bakhtyar said that Japan and Pakistan could enhance economic cooperation in human development and provision of basic necessities such as health, education, clean drinking water and housing sector as those areas were central theme of our development policy.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and the ambassador expressed their strong commitment to further the economic cooperation in post-corona time to benefit both countries.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020