Pakistan wants to negotiate free trade agreement with Japan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan looks forward to greater level of cooperation with Japan particularly in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure and energy.

The prime minister talking to Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai said that Pakistan regards Japan as a close friend and a reliable economic partner and both countries need to initiate negotiations on bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

“Japan may also consider a 3-4 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,” added the Prime Minister.

PM Sharif also welcomed companies from Japan to invest in Pakistan that would enhance the capacity of Pakistan industrial sector to produce value added goods.

He further said that law and order situation in the country has significantly improved as a consequence of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, and Pakistan hopes Japan would review Pakistan’s inclusion in Travel Advisory list in this regard.

The Japanese ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s economic growth and stated that Pakistan’s perception particularly in Japan has changed to a business-friendly country.

He added that Japan gives importance to investment security, infrastructure and business friendly environment and Pakistan has achieved marked improvement in all these three aspects.