Japanese investors invited to invest in Sialkot EPZ

[LRE]

Japanese investors invited to invest in Sialkot EPZ
SARMAD MAHMUD
SIALKOT (October 10 2008): Economic Adviser to Embassy of Japan in Pakistan Eriko Murata on Thursday visited Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to discuss various issues pertaining to bilateral trade with the business community of Sialkot. Speaking on the occasion, acting President of SCCI Ziaullah Mirza invited the Japanese investors to invest in Sialkot Export Processing Zone (SEPZ) and avail of the most attractive benefits and incentives.

He said that the SEPZ would open a new era of industrial revolution and foreign investment in this region. "It is encouraging that the two countries have developed institutionalised mechanism for bilateral consultation on various matters, including the security dialogue, counter-terrorism talks and economic policy dialogue that is the manifestation of strength of co-operation and understanding on bilateral and global issues," he said.

Expressing his confidence, he said that Japanese business community would avail full advantage of our liberals' investment regime and strategic location. He said: "We would like to encourage Japanese investors to utilise the investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially information technology (IT), manufacturing and agro-based industries." He also welcomed the progress being made by Pakistan-Japan study group to promote trade and investment and for exploring a free trade agreement (FTA).

Zia further said that an important factor of Japan's success lay in the promotion of small and medium enterprise. As a result of the policy of SMEs promotion, majority of small companies was providing employment to approximately 64.5 million people and 30 percent exports came from the SMEs, he said.

Undoubtedly, the SMEs had been instrumental in bringing out spectacular growth in Hi-tech and value-added industries in the developing countries, he added. The acting President of SCCI further said that in Pakistan, the SMEs were playing a key role, and they were being encouraged through a well-defined programme. Zia Mirza was of the opinion that exchange of trade delegations and one-to-one meeting of businessmen of both the countries was vital to improve bilateral trade.

For this both the countries must ensure simple via policy so that the businessmen could get visas easily. The private sectors of Pakistan and Japan should come forward and interact more frequently to explore and develop co-operation in mutually beneficial fields, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008

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