SIALKOT: Japan is actively considering proposals for signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan and boost bilateral trade volume between the two countries, Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr Takashi Kurai said on Monday.

Addressing a meeting at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said Japan is keen about boost trade ties with Pakistan, besides offering full cooperation and assuring easy access to Pakistani exporters.

He added that Japan would provide full technical assistance and guidance for modernising Sialkot’s export oriented industries.

Japan is focusing on broadening the scope of mutual cooperation by extending it to the areas of trade, investment, energy and infrastructure development with Pakistan, the ambassador said.

There is huge scope for establishing joint ventures and business cooperation between Ja­pan and Sialkot-based companies, especially in the sectors of sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products and info­rmation technology, he added.

SCCI president Majid Raza Bhutta hoped that trade relations between the two countries would further strengthen and collaboration with private sector would increase.

Mr Bhutta pointed out that in 2015, Pakistan’s exports to Japan were $176 million while imports were $1.82 billion. “The trade volume between the two countries is far below its true potential but it could be improved with mutual collaboration,” he added.

SCCI senior vice president Adnan Arshad Sethi, PRGMEA central chairman Ijaz A Khokar, Chairperson SCCI’s Committee for Women Entrepreneurs Dr Mariyam Nouman, SCCI PRO Tajammal Hussain and SCCI RDO Ms Atqa Arshad attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn November 29th, 2016