Hammad, Matsuda identify areas for expanding economic cooperation
Mohammad Arshad Islamabad
Finance Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar and Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda, Thursday, reviewed the spectrum of business and investment relations and identified areas for further strengthening and expanding economic cooperation.
In a meeting here, the finance minister lauded the valuable investment by Japan in various sectors particularly in the automobile sector and affirmed to facilitate Japanese investors and businessmen for undertaking major investment initiatives amid rising demand for innovative business products and services in Pakistan.
Ishii Kensuke, Commercial Counsellor and Soma Mayuko, Second Secretary also accompanied Ambassador on the occasion.
Hammad also commended the contribution of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for socio-economic development and reform initiatives aimed at poverty reduction & human development in the country
While extending a warm welcome to Kuninori Matsuda, the Finance Minister stated that Pakistan and Japan have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations over the years and this relationship will continue to become even stronger with every passing day.
The Finance Minister appreciated the support extended by the Government of Japan for infrastructural and institutional development in Pakistan. Japan is a major development partner of Pakistan, he added.
The Finance Minister and the Japanese Ambassador discussed issues of mutual interest.
The Finance Minister underlined the initiatives taken by the Government which led to economic turnaround. Pakistan’s primary deficit has been converted into a surplus due to strict adherence to fiscal discipline.
