Pakistan offers Japan investment opportunities in information, media sectors

Japanese ambassador Takashi Kurai meets Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in Islamabad

Japan should explore the opportunities of investment in the domains of information and media, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said during a meeting with with Japanese ambassador Takashi Kurai on Monday.

According to an official statement, Fawad said that Islamabad values bilateral relations with Japan and wants to bolster bilateral ties.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain in a meeting with Takashi Kurai, Ambassador of Japan said that #Pakistan highly values its bilateral relations with Japan & would like Tokyo to invest in the domain of media & information besides the economy. pic.twitter.com/Y4rxSiWWEs

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 24, 2018

The minister highlighted that both countries have a robust economic ties, adding, "Tokyo has extended generous assistance to Pakistan at crucial times".

Japan, he added, is a role model for economic progress and should roll out independent projects for Pakistan.

Fawad stressed that media could be a vehicle to promote a country's positive image as well as to counter extremist narrative.

He also underscored the need for joint ventures in the film, drama and production industry, saying these mediums are vital to understand each other's culture and social values.



The minister went on to add that the doors of Pakistan National Council of Arts are open for the cultural events of Japan to boost activities of culture and entertainment. He also proposed screening of Japanese films and dramas with dubbing in Pakistan.

Reciprocating, Ambassador Kurai stressed the need to enhance political and diplomatic exchanges as well as broadening of cooperation in the fields of law, media and information.

He highlighted that presently, 83 Japanese companies were working in Pakistan, mostly in the automobile sector. He also said Japan is looking forward to the completion of CPEC project as it would greatly benefit Pakistan.

The envoy said that Japan relies on indigenous labour and provided a helping hand in the transfer of technology and training of local workers.

He offered Pakistan to replicate ISDB-T [Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial] system synchronised with mobile phones and television sets as it provided early warning for natural disasters.

The Japanese ambassador said his country was looking forward to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Tokyo and vice versa.

He also congratulated Chaudhry Fawad Hussain over assuming his office as information minister of Pakistan.