May 10, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 9: Pakistan greatly values Japanese assistance that has played a significant role in the socio-economic development of the country.

This was stated by the Senate chairman, Mohammadmian Soomro, while talking to a visiting delegation of Pakistan-Japan Association, led by Shun Imaizumi, at the Parliament House.

The Senate chairman, while highlighting Pakistan’s investment policy, said prevailing friendly environment offered enormous opportunities to the Japanese businessmen and entrepreneurs. Pakistan has been keenly watching the Japanese economy and its banking system with a view to benefit from the experience, he added.

Mr Soomro also appreciated Japanese support for the construction of Kohat tunnel and termed it a symbol of friendship. He said the association had been helping in promotion of bilateral cooperation and people-to-people contact between the two countries.

OUR REPORTER ADDS: Despite various difficulties during the last three years, including water shortage, hike in oil prices, and tension on the eastern border, economic situation in the country has improved.

These observations were made by the federal minister for privatization and investment, Dr Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, while talking to a four-member Japanese delegation. The delegation, led by Pakistan-Japan Association chairman Shun Imaizumi, met the federal minister at Board of Investment (BOI) here on Friday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways and means to promote trade and investment relations between the two countries.

The minister said business relations between Pakistan and Japan were very old, but the flow of Japanese investment to Pakistan was much less than the desired level.