Japan's help sought in upgradation

KARACHI: Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Industries, Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood on Friday sought help from Japanese government in upgradation of vehicle testing facility in Pakistan.

"Japan has very large share in auto market, Pakistan needs help in vehicle testing system", said A. Razak Dawood during a meeting here with Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization Hiroyuki Ishig visiting Pakistan for one-day, said an official statement.

He also assured him to resolve all issues raised by him and duly facilitate Japanese investment in Pakistan.

JETRO was the trade, investment and technical cooperation promotion arm of the Government of Japan.

JETRO Chairman assured that he would communicate Pakistan Government's request for help vehicle testing to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Ishige briefed the PM's Advisor about the activities of JETRO relating to promotion of external trade.

He mentioned that annual survey about active Japanese companies conducted by JETRO showed that the interest of business expansion was always rated very high from Pakistan.

He always wished to visit Pakistan to get first-hand information about business environment here.

JETRO Chairman said during his visit he had meeting with the Japanese companies operating in Pakistan to enquire about the business environment and about the trade and investment policies.

JETRO recognized that Pakistan continued to play an important role as it drew renewed attention from the world as a junction to Central Asia as well as the Middle East, he said.

He said Japan realized the economic situation of Pakistan and that the reasons behind the chronic trade deficit were the rupee depreciation and the depleting foreign exchange reserves. However, he added.