ISLAMABAD: Japan has conveyed its interest in diversifying trade partnerships amid global economic uncertainties and emphasized the need for regulatory stability and targeted incentives to support its automakers in expanding exports from Pakistan.
The matter was discussed during a meeting in Tokyo between Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Matsuo Takehiko. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed, also attended the meeting.
Talks focused on strengthening industrial cooperation, with particular emphasis on the automobile and information technology sectors. Officials highlighted Pakistan’s young and growing population, vast consumer base, and untapped export potential, noting that more than 70 Japanese companies are already present in the country.
Discussions also touched on Pakistan’s new industrial policy, which aims to boost exports, streamline tariffs, and attract higher levels of foreign investment in line with the government’s target of achieving 6–7% annual export-led growth.
The Japanese side drew attention to global trends in the auto industry, including the increasing role of biofuels in emerging markets, where companies like Toyota and Suzuki are spearheading innovation. Both sides reviewed Pakistan’s Auto Industry Development Policy, particularly the government’s move away from punitive measures toward incentive-based reforms to encourage investment.
Opportunities for Japanese investment in Pakistan’s automotive and textile industries, the potential of biofuels, and the importance of setting regulatory standards in the automobile sector were also underscored during the meeting.
