Japan’s investment in Pakistan crosses USD1.3bn mark: envoy

Japan’s investment in Pakistan has crossed USD 1.3 billion, the Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said on Tuesday, highlighting over seven decades of diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. Speaking at the Annual Gala Dinner of the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) held at local hotel, the Ambassador said that ties between the two countries date back more than 70 years, beginning with the early cotton trade. Japanese investment, he said, now covers sectors including automobiles, energy, textiles, daily products and IT. Former Chairman PJBF Kalim Farooqui was also present on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, he praised the role of PJBF in promoting business linkages and serving as an economic bridge between the two countries for over two decades. He said the Forum is also a key stakeholder in the Japan-Pakistan Government Business Joint Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Tokyo from January 15–16 next year.