KARACHI, April 8: Pakistan has sought financial assistance from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) in the construction of factory shells and infrastructure development of the Women Entrepreneurs' City.

This was stated by Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram on his return from a recent visit to Japan where he went to inaugurate the exhibition of traditional Pakistani textile products, "Tana Bana." The exhibition held at the National Museum of Folk Art from April 4 to 7 attracted large number of visitors.

In a meeting with JBIC director general Kunio Okamura, the EPB chief sought JBIC assistance in financing the construction of factory shells and infrastructure development of the Women Entrepreneurs' City.

During his meeting with JETRO chairman Osamu Watananbe, the EPB chairman proposed structural collaboration between Japanese trading houses and Pakistan's private sector. He promised EPB's assistance in achieving this goal.

Mr Ikram also stressed the need for research to determine the prospects of Pakistani products in the Japanese market. The JETRO chief welcomed both the ideas and said that they would wait for formal proposal.

In his meeting with Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Satoshi Uematsu, Mr Ikram highlighted the macroeconomic achievement of Pakistan made during the past four years.

The EPB chief suggested the holding of next round of business dialogue between the Karachi-based Pakistan-Japan Business Forum and the Tokyo-based Japan Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee in October in Karachi on the occasion of Expo Pakistan 2004.

Mr Ikram also discussed the possibility of marketing Pakistani products at the World Expo 2005. The EPB chairman also met heads of leading trading houses of Japan such as Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubani Corporation and Fujilight.