ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Japan Kuninori Matsuda has said that Japan will provide job opportunities to Pakistanis, especially in the areas of information technology (IT) and science and technology.
He shared this while meeting with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin here at the Finance Division on Wednesday. SAPM on Finance and Revenue Dr Waqar Masood was also present during the meeting.
While extending a warm welcome to Kuninori Matsuda, Tarin lauded the cooperation extended by the government of Japan to Pakistan in the fields of education and infrastructure development.
He said that Japan is one of the major development partners of Pakistan and that he firmly believes that the cooperation will further strengthen in multiple fields for the mutual benefit of both the countries.
Matsuda briefed the finance minister about operations of the Japanese entities in Pakistan and expressed confidence that business and economic linkages would further strengthen between the two countries.
Both reviewed the entire spectrum of business and investment relations and identified areas for further strengthening and expanding economic cooperation.
The ambassador informed the Tarin that Japan was now embarking on a project of Human Resource (HR) exchange with Pakistan under which the Japanese labour market will be opened for highly skilled Pakistanis.
The ambassador further apprised the finance minister that Japan was focusing on developing a strong export base in Pakistan. For this purpose, he said Japan was looking beyond the traditional sectors of textiles and automobiles.
“Japan sees opportunities to invest in food processing, fishing and agriculture,” he said.
Tarin opined that goods manufactured in SEZs should be exported and also touched upon the new auto policy which has offered incentives to new investors and will have a far reaching impact on the development of the auto industry in Pakistan.
He stated that with the introduction of the new auto policy, Japan has the opportunity to further its investments in the sector which in turn will be beneficial both countries.
He said that he wants Pakistan to be able to generate exportable surplus in spare parts, so new investment will prove to be lucrative for both countries, and invited Japanese firms to start exporting automobiles from Pakistan.
He also thanked the Japanese government for debt relief under the second phase of G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). He assured the Japanese ambassador of his full support in improving the trade and economic relations between the countries.
