National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister
(SAPM) Tariq Fatemi and Japanese ambassador Takashi Kurai met here
Wednesday and discussed bilateral matters particularly related to
trade, investment, energy, health and education.
Welcoming the newly appointed ambassador, Fatemi expressed
confidence that Ambassador Kurai would impart a new vigour to the
existing level of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The SAPM briefed the Japanese envoy on the ongoing socio-
economic development projects in Pakistan.
The issues of mutual interest as well as recent developments
in Afghanistan, India and the region also came under discussion.
Fatemi appreciated Japan’s continued support to Pakistan in
infrastructure and development projects.
The SAPM expressed Pakistan’s deep condolences on the recent
earthquake in Kumamoto and hoped that the resilient people of Japan
would soon overcome this devastation.
He wished the Ambassador a fruitful and mutually beneficial
stay in Pakistan.
The Ambassador said the growth of Pakistani economy in the
recent years had attracted a lot of interest, and many Japanese
companies were looking at the investment opportunities in the
country.
He briefed the SAPM on various developmental projects that
were being planned and executed by the Japanese government.
The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of high-level
bilateral meetings between the two countries, and said he would be
working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to plan visits
at the highest level in the course of the year.