Bilawal pushes economic diplomacy with Japan

FM says Pakistan can learn from advancement in IT, other fields

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday said Pakistan and Japan had the potential to increase bilateral trade in diverse sectors for mutual benefit, stressing that the government was working on economic diplomacy to bring prosperity to the country.

Addressing a function organised by the Pakistani diaspora in Tokyo, the foreign minister, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, said both the countries could benefit from investment in agriculture and livestock, according to a message received here.

“Pakistan can learn from Japan's advancement in information technology and other fields,” he said. “Some 65% of the Pakistani population comprises youth and we can exploit this human resource through skills-based education and training.”

The foreign minister said that in his interaction with the Japanese leadership and the entrepreneurs, he would urge them to enhance trade and investment in Pakistan. He urged the overseas Pakistani to play their role in increasing trade between two countries.

Also on Sunday, Bilawal held meetings with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japanese business executives in Tokyo.

Bilawal reached Tokyo on a four-day official visit on Saturday. His visit indicated the revival of leadership level contacts with Japan after a considerable hiatus.
During the visit, Bilawal will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The foreign minister is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida besides holding a meeting with National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba.

He will also deliver a speech at the Asian Development Bank Institute – a renowned think tank of Japan.