ISLAMABAD, August 19: Japan was Tuesday urged to lift ban on fruit and vegetable exports from Pakistan.

“We are meeting the standards set by Japan and, especially the quality of Pakistani mangoes is according to international standards and there is a great trade potential between the two countries in this sector”, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal said while talking to Japanese Ambassador in Pakistan Seiji Kojima, who called on him here.

He said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Japan and there was a tremendous potential of increasing cooperation in food, agriculture and livestock sectors between the two countries.

The minister said that Pakistan was an agricultural country and there was a need for increasing technological cooperation and research-sharing between the two countries in food, agriculture and livestock sectors. He said Japan could provide assistance to Pakistan in improving seed quality of vegetables, fruits and other crops.

He also proposed the idea of starting joint ventures in food processing and agricultural machinery. He said Pakistan also needed Japanese cooperation and technical assistance in livestock and fisheries sector adding that development of this sector can help give a boost to the national economy. Mr Gondal emphasised the need for increasing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science and technology, education, culture and tourism.

The Japanese ambassador said that Pakistan was a fast growing economy and his country would extend technical and scientific assistance in agriculture sector.