Pakistan, Japan agree to deepen bilateral ties

Enhance cooperation in trade, investment, HR development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture among other sectors

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Japan agreed on Monday to further deepen and enhance their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in multiple areas including trade, investment, human resource development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture sectors.

“We have also jointly agreed to explore the possibility of working together on targeted programs with higher impact in the domains of solarization, desalination and water purification and housing and infrastructure rebuilding in the floods affected areas in Pakistan," said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a joint press statement along with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo.

Earlier the two ministers held a meeting in a cordial environment. Both the ministers appreciated freer bilateral relations while expressing readiness to engage further.

FM @BBhuttoZardari had a meeting with Japanese FM @hayashi09615064 today in Tokyo. The meeting was held in a cordial environment. Both the Ministers appreciated the irritant free bilateral relations while expressing readiness to engage further.#PakFMinJapan

🇵🇰🤝🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/qJBSKvTWrc

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 3, 2023

In addition, the two sides have agreed to conduct the language skill assessment tests for Japanese language in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of the skilled workforce.

Bilawal said the two sides also identified sharing Pakistan's young and skilled human resource with Japan and developing their language to be a prime area of cooperation. “We also deliberated on investments and joint ventures by Japanese enterprises in Pakistan.”

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During his visit, Bilawal said he would also interact with the private sector, local media as well as think-tanks to further broaden the engagement. I believe that both the sides need to stay engaged at all levels to further positive dialogue and continue exploring more avenues of cooperation.

The foreign minister also invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Pakistan at his convenience to further the discussions.

He said Pakistan and Japan were longstanding friends and share a special bond based on deep-rooted linkages that go far in history and time.

The people of Pakistan carry a deep sentiment of warmth and affection for Japan and the Japanese people. We have always stood with each other in times of need, he said.

Bilawal said last year, they had seen new energy and vigour in the relationship through continued high-level exchanges. “I also had the honour to meet Minister Hayashi at Phnom Penh, Cambodia on August 4, 2022, on the sidelines of the 29th Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Today we continued our discussions from that meeting,” he added.