Observer Report
Tokyo
Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan met with Saad Sherida Al Kaabi Minister of State for Energy Affairs of the State of Qatar on the sidelines of LNG Conference at Tokyo. He apprised his Qatari counterpart on the progress in the existing cooperation regarding import of LNG from Qatar under Government to Government agreement and the future prospects for Qatari investment in energy related infrastructure in Pakistan.
Omar Ayub Khan also met Isshu Sugawara, Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). He apprised him of investment friendly policies of the Government and the tremendous potential and opportunities Pakistan offer particularly in the power, Oil and Gas sectors. He added that being one of the largest emerging markets in the world, Pakistan would like more Japanese companies to take full advantage of the economic opportunities at offer. He added that Pakistan has established two LNG terminals and permitted private sector to setup five more. Minister Sugawara appreciated the economic reforms being undertaken by Pakistan’s Government and hoped that more Japanese Companies will take advantage of the upcoming business and investment opportunities. The Minister extended Pakistan’s full support in the endeavors of Japanese Government for promoting the use of Hydrogen Energy and recycling of CO2 in the light of the Tokyo statement.
A delegation from Mitsubishi Corporation Japan headed by Akihiko Takada, Division COO, Natural Gas Division assisted by Kosuke Makino, Chief Executive Mitsubishi Corporation Pakistan also called on the Minister and briefed him on their ongoing projects in Pakistan as well as their future plans particularly in the Energy Sector. The Minister assured that Pakistan was open for business to the Japanese Companies and the present Government was committed to facilitate foreign investors in every possible way.
Meanwhile, in his address at the 2nd Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Conference held in Tokyo, Minister for Energy Omar Khan extended Pakistan’s support to the efforts and innovative idea of making hydrogen energy as an affordable and reliable source of fuel supplies. He emphasized that the price of Hydrogen Energy supplies needed to be reduced as compared to conventional fuels to make it a fuel of choice, said a press release issued here.
He urged upon the stakeholders to take on board all the developing countries to enhance their capacity and assist academia in the research and development of this future source of energy. The minister acknowledged that the ‘Tokyo statement’ issued last year at the First Energy Ministerial Conference would go a long way in realization of all goals aimed at promoting the use of Hydrogen Energy in a decade.
