ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that Japan and Pakistan are long-term partners in their quest for economic development.

Mr Dar was talking to Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai who called on him to discuss relations and overall business cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Kurai said that his country was always ready to contribute to socio-economic uplift in Pakistan. He informed the finance minister about the new investments being made by Japanese companies here.

He referred to the joint venture for powdered milk production facility and fresh investment for expansion in automotive sector as examples of continued interest from Japanese investors in the country.

He added that a number of companies were currently exploring opportunities in various sectors.

Mr Dar recalled his meeting with the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting in Yokohama and said that it opened new avenues of cooperation in the financial sector.

Mr Kurai also said that a delegation from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation would visit Pakistan next month to take the discussions further and work out details for financial sector collaboration.

He also recounted meeting of Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) in November 2015 and setting up of Joint Trade Committee which was working for promotion of bilateral trade.

Mr Dar appreciated the ambassador for his proactive role in promoting bilateral economic cooperation. He assured him that the government would extend all possible help to Japanese investors and businessmen in their new ventures.

He also welcomed the planned visit of the Japanese bank’s delegation and said it would provide an opportunity to both sides to discuss technical issues in greater detail.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2017