Japanese diplomat urges increase in bilateral trade

HYDERABAD: The Japanese Consul General Akira Ouchi has urged the industrialists, traders and agriculturists of Hyderabad to increase bilateral trade with his country by opening up new avenues of trade.

Addressing a reception hosted by the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) here Tuesday, the Consul General underscored the need for improvement in the education and technology sectors to optimize the industrial and agricultural production.

"The energy crisis in Pakistan in a big barrier towards realizing this objective. But, our experts are helping the country to deal with this crisis," he told.

Ouchi invited the business community to visit Japan and find partners for the bilateral business ventures, adding that they should take advantage from the Japanese government's trade promotion forums.

Earlier, the HCCI President Seth Goharullah pointed out the impediments in increasing Pakistani exports to Japan.

He sought the diplomat's assistance to overcome these barriers. "The growth in the imports and exports would be beneficial for both the countries," he observed.

The HCCI President also briefed the visiting diplomat about the measures to increase industrialization in Hyderabad.     He informed that a SITE Phase II project was being implemented which would help open up new industries in the district.    Besides, he added, a 50-acre land in the same project had been reserved for promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"The city has the potential for growth in the textile, light engineering, power generation, auto industry and agro based industries sectors," he said.

Goharullah also briefed the consul general about the potential business ventures in Hyderabad which were auspicious for the foreign investors.

A large number of business community representatives and members of the HCCI attended the reception.