TOKYO: Japan has pledged to work with and support Pakistan in areas of economy, security, democracy and rule of law.
This was disclosed at a meeting between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Japanese Minister of State Katsunobu Kato in Tokyo.
The Japanese Minister of State appreciated the efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif towards the uplift of economy and improvement of security in Pakistan.
He also condoled the loss of precious lives in Peshawar terrorist attack last month.
He said Pakistan and Japan can deepen bilateral relations and cooperation at international arena.
He said Pakistan’s positive reviews in its IMF Program are encouraging for Japan to resume Yen loans.
The Japanese Minister of State assured that his country would continue assistance towards settlement of IDPs, eradication of polio, floods mitigation and fight against terrorism.
Finance Minister underlined the efforts of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to promote peace and friendship in the region.
He regretted that Prime Minister’s sincere overtures for peaceful and cooperative relations with India have not received appropriate response. He also discussed the immense human and material losses accrued to Pakistan from the ongoing war against terrorism.
Earlier, speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour in Tokyo by President Japan Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League Seishiro Eto and former Foreign Minister of Japan Koichiro Gemba, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar invited Japanese companies to fully benefit from a Special Economic Zone being established in Sindh.
During a meeting with Chairman, Japan External Trade Organization, Hiroyuki Ishiguro in Tokyo the Finance Minister discussed enhancement of trade volume between the two countries.
Meanwhile in an interview with Japanese economic journal ‘Asian Review’, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar says prospects of investment in Pakistan are bright due to the government effective policies
He said infrastructure development and terrorism pose major challenges but necessary steps have been taken to address them.
To a question, the Finance Minister said the Pak-China Economic Corridor will benefit the entire region including Central Asian states, India and Afghanistan. He said Japan could also have access to the Gulf States through the economic corridor.
He said Pakistan and Japan have a history of bilateral economic and trade relations, and there is a great scope to expand them further.
Pakistan, Japan to increase cooperation in economy, security | The News Tribe
