The 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan
Business Forum were held in Tokyo on Friday, January 16, 2026, marking the first
convening of the Dialogue in Tokyo since December 2018.
The Government–Business Joint Dialogue was co-chaired by Mr. Rana Ihsaan
Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce and Industry,
and Mr. Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of
Japan. H.E. Mr. Abdul Hameed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, participated in the
Dialogue alongside senior officials from both sides. The Dialogue brought together
senior officials and private-sector representatives from both countries, including
members of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF) and the Japan–Pakistan
Business Co-operation Committee (JPBCC). Approximately 80 participants attended.
During the Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral
economic relations, with a focus on improving the trade and investment environment
and advancing practical cooperation. The Pakistani side outlined Pakistan’s economic
priorities and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as minerals and
mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and information technology. The Japanese
side shared perspectives on the operating environment for Japanese companies in
Pakistan and discussed areas where continued engagement and follow-up could further
facilitate business activity.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of sustained government-to-government
engagement, supported by close coordination with the private sector, to advance
mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan.
Following the Joint Dialogue, the Pakistan Business Forum was held in Tokyo.
The Forum was co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO), with the cooperation of the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry of Japan, and was attended by Japanese and Pakistani business
leaders.
The Forum featured remarks by Ms. Okumura Akiko, Executive Vice President of
JETRO, and Mr. Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry of Japan, as well as a message from Mr. Akira Terakawa, Chairman of the
Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee. Mr. Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan,
Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce, delivered remarks as
Guest of Honour.
The Pakistan Business Forum also included selected sectoral presentations
highlighting practical cooperation between Japanese and Pakistani partners. A
presentation by Komatsu outlined ongoing and planned engagement in Pakistan’s
mining sector, including long-term operations, technology deployment, and workforce
development. Pak Suzuki Motor Company shared an overview of its biogas pilot
initiative in Pakistan, focused on converting agricultural and livestock waste into
alternative fuel and organic fertilizer. The Forum also featured a presentation by the
Trade and Investment Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo on “From Trade
to Investment: Building Japan–Pakistan Joint Value Chains.”
The Forum concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Abdul Hameed, Ambassador
of Pakistan to Japan, who highlighted the importance of sustained engagement, trust-
building, and long-term partnership in advancing Pakistan–Japan economic
cooperation. He also referred to the latest findings of the JETRO Survey on Business
Conditions of Japanese Companies Operating Overseas (2025), which indicate
improved profitability outlook and expansion intentions among Japanese companies
operating in Pakistan, reflecting growing business confidence and medium-term
investment interest.
The successful conduct of the Dialogue and the Business Forum was supported
by the active participation of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF), led by Mr.
Murtaza Mandviwalla, which contributed to strong private-sector engagement from both
sides.
