PJBF commended for efforts to promote stronger economic ties

ISLAMABAD: Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, on Tuesday held a meeting with representatives of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF) to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.

The meeting was attended by prominent Japanese business leaders, including Muratza Y Mandviwalla, Chairman PJBF; Itaru Nakamura, Chief Representative for Pakistan at Marubeni Corporation and Senior Vice Chairman PJBF; Syed Feroz Shah; Taishi Kawai, General Manager for Pakistan, Mitsui & Co; Koji Nishizaki, General Manager, Pakistan, Sumitomo Corporation Asia & Oceania Pte Ltd.; and Jimmy S Takeuchi, General Manager, Karachi Office, ITOCHU Corporation.

Welcoming the delegation, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister commended PJBF for its continued efforts to promote stronger economic ties between Pakistan and Japan. Discussions focused on the outcomes of the 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue (PJGBJD), which was co-organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Key areas discussed included opportunities for Japanese training programmes and institutional collaboration in Pakistan, compliance standards for exports, and promoting Pakistani products in the Japanese market. The Coordinator highlighted government initiatives aimed at reducing production costs, including lower electricity tariffs, enhanced support under the Export Finance Scheme (EFS), and measures to strengthen university–industry linkages.

He noted that targeted support is required to improve the quality of exported products in sectors reliant on outdated technology, identifying this as a key area for reform. Strengthening business-to-business collaboration with Japanese partners, he said, would be critical to achieving higher quality and compliance standards.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating an enabling business environment, the Coordinator assured continued support for deepening Pakistan–Japan economic relations through sustained dialogue and joint initiatives. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding on the need to address structural challenges through closer coordination and proactive policy alignment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026