Whilst Pakistan and Japan enjoy a decades old relationship, it is imperative to make it relevant in the rapidly evolving 21st Century. Accordingly JGBD is an important mechanism for reiterating the potential of the Pakistan-Japan trade and business dynamic. As an overarching platform, it will emphasise both Governments' common objective to strengthen the interest and confidence of respective business communities.
2. The economic well-being of any country is reflected in the vibrancy of its private sector. The world-class private sector of Japan can partner with Pakistan's abundant human resource potential. Japanese investment plus transfer of technology and capacity building, particularly for the SMEs, remain crucial ingredients. Business activity is an important self-reinforcing process, which increases awareness, builds prosperity, contributes to understanding and brings down barriers.
3. Pakistan is a growing country with a robust, experienced private sector, a large consumer base and proximity to huge regional markets. Through the JGBD we would like to evolve an understanding to equalise the playing field for trade, particularly in the textile sector. Whilst Pakistan is highly rated for the ease-of-business, we should also strive for ease-of-travel for the legitimate business community. Pakistan with a highly disciplined and motivated work force has an unblemished history of zero labour disputes with Japanese corporations. As major infrastructural projects are going to transform Pakistan there is no reason why Japan, already with a strong corporate presence, should not partner with a country located at the strategic cross-roads of energy, trade and population.
4. I remain confident that the Dialogue would energise mutually beneficial interaction especially by charting appropriate ways to enhance market access of Pakistan's core products and lay a more solid foundation for co-operation in Joint Ventures. I would also thank our public and private sector partners METI, PJBF and JPBCC. We see the Dialogue as high-level encouragement and endorsement to revitalise a decades-old trade and economic relationship.