Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday expressed the desire to work closely with Japan to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly trade, investment, economic and human development. Talking to Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane, who paid a courtesy call on him here, the prime minister recalled that the Japan External Trade Organization in its 2018 report had recognized Pakistan as one of the top friendly destinations for Japanese investment. The Japanese state minister congratulated Imran Khan on victory of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the recent election and assuming the office of prime minister. He also conveyed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s commitment to work closely with Prime Minister Imran Khan. The prime minister welcomed the state minister for his visit to Pakistan. He recalled the decades-long relations between Pakistan and Japan and conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral economic cooperation through facilitating Japanese businesses. Bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. Avenues of multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides were also discussed, including cooperation in education and health sectors as well as skill enhancement of the youth. Both sides expressed firm resolve to increase interaction between the two countries. The Japanese minister expressed strong desire of the government of Japan to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries based on long history of economic and development cooperation. The prime minister also acknowledged the role of economic assistance provided by Japan in social sector projects. He said that human resource development was a priority of his government. He sought support in the education sector, science, technological cooperation and vocational training. The prime minister also extended invitation to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Pakistan. In a separate meeting, Japanese State Minister Kazuyuki Nakane conveyed his best wishes to incumbent Finance Minister Asad Umar on assuming charge as the new finance minister of the country, before witnessing the signing of two agreements for installation of weather surveillance radar in Multan and human resource development scholarship. It may be mentioned that Japan has extended grant assistance worth Japanese Yen 2,370 Million (equivalent to US$ 21.36 million) to Pakistan for the two projects. The finance minister welcomed Nakane and said that the new government wishes to strengthen its economic ties with Japan for achieving full bilateral business potential. The Japanese minister said that Pakistan and Japan have diplomatic relations since 1952. He said along with the ‘Naya Pakistan’, there should also be ‘Naya Japan-Pakistan’, referring to the need to further improve trade relations between the two countries. The finance minister acknowledged the support of Japan for extending economic and technical assistance to Pakistan in the sectors of energy, road infrastructure, industries, agriculture, water, health, education and security. He also said that Pakistan will welcome the Japanese investment through joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries. Published in Daily Times, September 1st 2018.