Japanese investment invited for tech, R&D

Pakistan, Japan explore digital technology partnership opportunities

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja delivered a virtual address, "Pakistan's digital transformation and opportunities for partnership with Japan", at the Pakistan Business Seminar, organised by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) in collaboration with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) in Tokyo.

The seminar brought together senior government officials, business leaders, technology executives and industry leaders from both countries, exploring opportunities to further strengthen collaboration in technology sectors.

Abdul Hameed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, Shuichi Akamatsu, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Faisal Jeddy, CEO PSEB, Akiko Okumura, Executive Vice President Jetro, and Naritoshi Takayama, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan also attended the event.

Highlighting Pakistan-Japan longstanding friendship, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasised that the next chapter of partnership would be defined by digital and technological collaboration. Outlining Pakistan's digital transformation agenda, the minister highlighted the country's expanding digital infrastructure, including more than 161 million broadband subscribers, a 17,200-kilometre fibre optic backbone, and the release of over 750 MHz of spectrum during the year to support next-generation connectivity and 5G.

Emphasising the complementary strengths of the two countries, Shaza Fatima said Japan brings world-class precision, technology and engineering expertise, while Pakistan offers a young population, scale and a rapidly expanding pool of digital talent.

With 68% of Pakistan's population under the age of 30 and more than 75,000 IT graduates and software engineers entering the workforce annually, she underscored the country's strong potential as a technology and innovation partner for Japanese industry. The minister called for greater Japanese investment in Pakistan's technology sector, including the establishment of R&D and development centres.