Japan-Pakistan Poised for Strategic Collaboration in IT, Minerals, and Skilled Workforce Development: Kobayashi Yuji
Islamabad: A high-profile Japanese business delegation led by Kobayashi Yuji, Member of Parliament from the Hokkaido Assembly, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) to explore new avenues for bilateral trade, investment, and technology cooperation. The delegation was accompanied by Dr Zulfiqar Bhatti, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce and Ambassador (R) Imtiaz Ahmad, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan. ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, and Vice President Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry warmly received the dignitaries.
Welcoming the delegation, President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted the vast potential for collaboration in information technology, rare earth minerals, and agro-based industries. He invited Japanese investors to take advantage of Pakistan’s emerging investment landscape, assuring full institutional support and facilitation from ICCI. Emphasizing the importance of technology transfer, industrial partnerships, and skill development, he remarked that Japan’s innovation and Pakistan’s youthful energy could together create a new model of growth for both nations.
Kobayashi Yuji expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s hospitality and cultural warmth, noting that such goodwill builds lasting bilateral relations. Referring to Japan’s ageing population and growing demand for skilled labour, he acknowledged the contribution of Pakistani interns in Japan and expressed optimism for deeper collaboration in workforce training. “Pakistan’s youth are a remarkable national asset—energetic, talented, and capable. Japan deeply values this potential and seeks to build structured programs for skill enhancement and industrial training,” he stated.
Dr. Zulfiqar Bhatti reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to expanding trade, exports, and investment linkages, emphasizing that the Ministry of Commerce maintains an open-door policy for global investors. He urged the private sector to focus on innovation and value addition to enhance competitiveness and productivity. “Under the Prime Minister’s vision, export promotion remains central to Pakistan’s economic strategy, and the government stands ready to facilitate all initiatives that strengthen our industrial base,” he affirmed.
Senior ICCI member Mian Shoukat Masood invited the Japanese side to explore Pakistan’s rapidly growing IT sector, citing its technical depth, cost efficiency, and strong global footprint. Other participants, including Malik Mohsin, Naveed Satti, Imran Minhas, Ishaq Sial, Waseem Ch, Ambassador (R) Imtiaz Ahmad, Seiko Suzuki, and Masahito Kimura, shared insights on enhancing bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.
The meeting concluded with mutual goodwill and optimism, as both sides reaffirmed their resolve to deepen economic and technological collaboration, promote skilled workforce development, and build a future-oriented partnership founded on innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.