ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has conferred The Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Rosette) award upon Syed Feroz Alam Shah, honorary technical adviser of Board of Investment (BoI) and director of National Engineering Corporation (NEC), in recognition of his dedicated contributions towards promoting economic relations and mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan.

The prestigious order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.

At a ceremony held at his official residence on Wednesday, Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori, on behalf of the Japanese government, conferred the imperial decoration upon Syed Feroz Alam Shah.

The conferral ceremony was held with limited participants, while prevention measures against Covid-19 were observed.

Mr Shah has worked as honorary technical adviser at the Board of Investment since 2010, supporting business ties between Japan and Pakistan while simultaneously working as a director in the private sector.

In terms of facilitation of new entrants to the special economic zone (SEZ) in Pakistan, he was dedicated towards assisting entry of business in the Pakistani market, additionally dealing with the complicated application process and cooperating with the Pakistani government. Likewise, after formal introduction into the market, Mr Shah contributed towards coming up with amendments for the SEZ Act so it could be applied to current business activities.

Furthermore, Mr Shah established the Pak-Japan Friendship Society (PJFS) in 2000 in Balochistan with his brother and has been its president since 2018.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2021