Japanese envoy hosts award ceremony

Japanese Ambassador H.E. Takashi Kurai hosted the Foreign Minister’s Commendation award ceremony at his residence.

The award, which is given by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, went to Hirofumi Nagao, former chief executive and managing director of the Pak Suzuki Motor Company. He was recognised by the ministry for his significant contribution to the promotion of economic relations between Japan and Pakistan.

While conferring the award, Mr Kurai said: “Mr Nagao has worked in Pakistan for about 20 years, during which time he served as an executive of Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) for nine years, and was appointed its president three times.

“During all his tenures in Pakistan, he has contributed not only to the development of Pakistan’s automobile industry but also to strengthening of the overall economic relations and mutual trust between Japan and Pakistan, which we appreciate.”

He added: “Through his experiences and knowledge, Mr Nagao supported Japanese automobile companies to make investments in Pakistan and made tremendous efforts to upgrade the business environment for foreign companies through policy recommendations to the government of Pakistan.”

Mr Nagao expressed his gratitude for the award, and thanked his host and the guests for taking the time to share the honour with him.

He said: “While the commendation is for an individual, the award belongs to the team, which includes all the members of Pak Suzuki, the vendors, the distributers, associated businessmen, PAMA and others who made our work possible and the consumers who trust us.”

After the award was presented, guests enjoyed a meal of Japanese and Pakistani dishes.

Dutch ambassador holds farewell art exhibition

Last weekend, Dutch Ambassador Jeanette Seppen and her husband Charles Petri, held a farewell art exhibition at their residence titled ‘Borders and Beyond’, featuring the works of Dutch artists Nan Mulder and Gea Karhof and Pakistani artists Atif Khan, R.M. Naeem and Zaira Ahmad Zaka, who also curated the show.

“The view from the residence, situated on a hill in the Diplomatic Enclave, was stunning from, behind the prime minister’s secretariat towards the Margalla Hills. The clear blue evening sky was a picture in itself,” said a guest.

The ambassador attended a farewell breakfast at the Serena Hotel yesterday, at which a number of her friends and colleagues gathered to thank her for her two years in Pakistan, and wished her a safe journey.

Ms Seppen and her husband will travel back to Holland by road, using the northern part of the old Silk Road, on motorbikes with a large service vehicle.

“It is my husband who will be the boss and chief travel guide, and the younger family members will also have their say,” the ambassador said. “I take it as a holiday.”

“We will be happy travellers for about two and a half months, and will finally reach home in the middle of autumn, Inshallah, with great memories and experiences.”

“I will then begin my one-year sabbatical. I hope to travel more, read books and maybe also write myself. It will also be good to reconnect with family and friends after many years abroad in the diplomatic service. My husband has also held senior posts in the United Nations in Africa,” she said.

“We will miss Pakistan and will hopefully come back some day - not on motorbike but flying PIA,” she joked.

Renate Pors, the deputy head of mission, will hold the fort until the next ambassador arrives in a few weeks.

Ukraine marks Independence Day

Ukraine marked its independence day on Aug 24, to commemorate its Declaration of Independence when, in 1991, it became independent after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Ambassador V.I. Lakomov held an open house style reception at Safa Gold Mall in he capital, which was attended by local and foreign guests.

“I think some ordinary shoppers also joined the festivities and got a bite of the ‘birthday cake’, with bright yellow and blue marzipan glazing, the colours of Ukraine’s flags,” a guest remarked.

“I was glad I came so I could attend the friendly and folksy reception”, she added.

Ambassador Lakomov promised to hold a more formal reception later in autumn. In his speech, Ambassador Lakomov underlined the good relations between Ukraine and Pakistan, and the potential for expanded cooperation in trade, education, culture, tourism and other fields.

Safa Gold Mall’s general manager, Moshin Masood, appreciated that Ukraine had chosen the shopping centre’s premises to hold a reception on the country’s Independence Day. “It creates goodwill and promotes people-to-people contact,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2017