President calls for expanding Pak-Japan relations in diverse sectors

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan in trade, investment, economy, culture and people-to-people contacts.                                 

He was talking to Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada in Islamabad today.         

The President said Pakistan is a huge market with economic opportunities and Japan should benefit from it by investing in diverse sectors.                                  

He said the long standing Pak-Japan ties need to be further cemented for mutual benefit.       

Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan has a huge population and can send trained workforce and professionals to help Japan fulfill its requirement for human resources.             

 Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to overcome its current socio-economic challenges, the President said Japanese automobile companies in Pakistan, should enhance production and Japanese banks should be encouraged to initiate their operations here.          

On the occasion, the Japanese Ambassador said Pakistan has a strategic location and Japanese companies are interested in potential areas for investment.     

He informed the President that the export of Pakistani mangoes to Japan is growing.

The Ambassador congratulated the President on assuming the office for the second time and also conveyed the regards of the Japanese Emperor.                

Later, Ambassador of Yemen to Pakistan, Mohammad Motahar Alashabi, also called on President Asif Ali Zardari and felicitated him on assuming his office.

During the meeting, the President said Pakistan and Yemen enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on shared bonds of religion, culture and values.

The meeting emphasized increasing mutually beneficial cooperation.