PM desires enhanced Pakistan-Japan trade

Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan attached high priority to its relations with Japan and stressed for further raising trade level between the two countries. Sharif said Pakistan-Japan relations were of great importance as Pakistan regarded Japan as an important friend and a development partner, and expressed the desire to take these relations to further heights. Talking to Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi Oe, who paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister at his office, Sharif underlined the need to raise the level of trade between the two countries which currently stood at $ 2.1 billion. The PM noted with concern that trade balance was heavily tilted against Pakistan and expressed the desire for its rectification through concrete measures. He said the existing trade imbalance could be addressed by lowering tariff rates for Pakistani textiles. He expressed gratitude to the government of Japan for its assistance in up-gradation of Unit 1 and Unit 4 of Mangla Dam. The PM also sought Japan’s assistance in energy projects in Pakistan such as the Diamer Bhasha, Kurram Tangi Dam, Munda Dam and other small and medium dams. Hailing Japan’s achievements in the fields of science and technology, he said Pakistan was keen to learn from Japan. The ambassador congratulated the prime minister on assuming his office.
The ambassador also conveyed a message of felicitations to Sharif on behalf of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Sharif appreciated the positive contributions made by Hiroshi Oe during his tenure as ambassador in Islamabad and his efforts in further promoting Pakistan-Japan relations, especially in the field of trade.
The ambassador termed his stay in Islamabad fruitful and said he would be returning with rich memories of Pakistan.