Japan to assist Pakistan in mangoes marketing

ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has said that it will extend every possible assistance to Pakistan for extensive marketing of Pakistani mangoes in the Japanese market.

This was stated by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Makiko Kikuta, while talking to a delegation of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

A statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo said that a TDAP delegation headed by its Chairman, Tariq Puri, called on the minister and discussed ways to further promote bilateral trade between the two countries.

The vice Minister said that she was happy to know that first consignment of the Pakistani mangoes has entered Japan and lauded the efforts of TDAP for improving vapour heat treatment (VHT) process of the plant to meet the Japanese quarantine standards.

She appreciated the efforts of the government of Pakistan for sending relief goods to the effected people in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures in the wake of unprecedented earthquake and tsunami.

She also acknowledged the visits of the ambassador and other officers of the Embassy of Pakistan to the affected areas where they served food to affectees in the relief centers.

Such gestures would further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries, she added.

The minister expressed hope that Pakistan will provide a conducive environment for Japanese companies to enter Pakistani market. She said that Pakistan's exports to Japan could be enhanced through quality control, firm marketing strategy and research.

Pakistan has tremendous agricultural resources which could be further developed with assistance of JICA. Japanese government will support JICA to facilitate various projects in Pakistan, she added.

Tariq Puri called upon the Minister that Japan may assist Pakistan with technology and know-how-to improve productivity in various sectors of its economy. He referred to Pakistan-Japan textile trade, which goes back 60 years, when Japan used to export textile machinery to Pakistan.

Chairman TDAP expressed his gratitude to the minister for providing an opportunity to hold a detailed meeting and extended invitation to the minister to visit Karachi Expo on October 22 and 23, 2011.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011