ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan on Tuesday held a meeting with representatives of the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral trade and investment.
The meeting was attended by prominent Japanese business leaders, including Muratza Y. Mandviwalla, Chairman of PJBF; Itaru Nakamura, Chief Representative for Pakistan at Marubeni Corporation and Senior Vice Chairman of PJBF; Syed Feroz Shah; Taishi Kawai, General Manager for Pakistan, Mitsui & Co.; Koji Nishizaki, General Manager, Pakistan Sumitomo Corporation Asia & Oceania Pte Ltd.; and Mr. Jimmy S. Takeuchi, General Manager, Karachi Office, ITOCHU Corporation, said a news release.
The Coordinator to Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and commended PJBF for its ongoing efforts to promote stronger economic ties between Pakistan and Japan. The discussion focused on the outcomes of the 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue (PJGBJD), co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), with support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Key topics of discussion included opportunities for Japanese training programs and institutional collaborations in Pakistan, compliance standards for exports, and promoting Pakistani products in the Japanese market.
The Coordinator highlighted government initiatives aimed at reducing production costs, including lower electricity tariffs, enhanced support under the EFS, and measures to strengthen university-industry linkages.
He also noted that targeted support is required to enhance the quality of exported products in sectors that rely on outdated technology, identifying this as a key area for improvement. Strengthening B2B collaboration with Japanese partners was emphasized as essential to achieving higher standards.
The Coordinator reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses and reiterated continued support to further Pakistan-Japan economic relations through sustained dialogue and joint initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the importance of addressing structural challenges through closer coordination and proactive policy alignment.