ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has urged for the broadening of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan across various sectors, including trade, investment, economy, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
Japan Ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada called on Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday and congratulated him on being elected as president of Pakistan
During the meeting, President Zardari emphasized Pakistan’s potential as a substantial market and encouraged Japanese businesses to explore investment opportunities in diverse sectors.
Highlighting the longstanding relations between the two countries, President Zardari stressed the importance of strengthening these ties for mutual benefit. He acknowledged Japan’s role as a key development partner, particularly through initiatives like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which supports Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
President Zardari also noted Pakistan’s significant population and highlighted the potential for sending trained professionals to fulfill Japan’s human resource needs. He urged Japanese automobile companies based in Pakistan to boost production for exports and encouraged Japanese banks to resume operations in the country.
Ambassador Wada acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic location and sizable population, expressing Japanese companies’ interest in these areas. He called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and noted the growing export of Pakistani mangoes to Japan.
The ambassador also praised the successful visit of former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to Japan, highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth in contributing to the country’s prosperity.
During the meeting, Ambassador Mohammad Motahar Alashabi of Yemen also congratulated President Zardari on assuming office, underscoring the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Yemen. Both sides emphasized the importance of further enhancing cooperation based on shared religious, cultural, and values-based ties.
President Zardari expressed gratitude for the felicitations and recalled his positive experiences during his visit to Japan and interactions with the former Emperor Akihito. He also thanked Japan for its support following the devastating floods in 2022.
