Pakistan invites Japan to start FTA talks

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan looks forward to a great level of cooperation with Japan in trade, investment, infrastructure and energy sectors and called for a start of a bilateral free trade agreement talks.

Prime Minister Sharif, talking to Japan’s Ambassador Takashi Kurai, invited Japanese companies to invest in Pakistan to strengthen industrial sector and produce value-added goods. “Pakistan regards Japan as a close friend and a reliable economic partner,” he said.

Minister hoped that Japan would review Pakistan’s inclusion in travel advisory list as the law and order situation has been improved. He said Japan may consider a three to four year exception for Pakistani textiles under its temporary tariff measures to bring Pakistan at par with its competitors which enjoy free access to Japanese market. Kurai appreciated Pakistan’s economic growth. “Pakistan’s perception particularly in Japan has changed to a business friendly-country,” he said.