PM stresses on boosting economic ties with Japan

Says Japan must consider giving Pakistani textile exporters tariff exemptions

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan is looking forward to greater levels of cooperation with Japan in areas of trade, investment, infrastructure and energy, calling for initiation of negotiations on the bilateral free trade agreement.

Talking to Ambassador Takashi Kurai, the prime minister welcomed Japanese companies to invest in Pakistan to strengthen the industrial sector and produce value-added goods.

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The prime minister said Pakistan regarded Japan as a close friend and a reliable economic partner.

He said law and order situation in the country had significantly improved and hoped Japan would review Pakistan's inclusion in the travel advisory list in this regard.

He said Japan may also consider a three- to four-year exception for Pakistani textiles under its temporary tariff measures to bring Pakistan at par with its competitors that enjoy free access to Japanese market.

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The Japanese ambassador appreciated Pakistan's economic growth and stated that its perception particularly in Japan has changed to a business-friendly country.

The ambassador said Japan gives importance to investment security, infrastructure and business friendly environment and pointed that Pakistan has achieved marked improvement in these three areas.