Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, on Tuesday convened a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi here in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the quest to fortify bilateral ties and unlock new avenues for economic cooperation.
Both the dignitaries underscored the vast potential for mutual growth and development. Pakistan and Japan have been economic partners for a long time, and now is the perfect opportunity to renew their relationship in economic terms, Chaudhry Salik Hussain said.
He emphasized the need for cooperation in technical assistance and proposed starting a joint technical college in Pakistan to equip the young generation with skills tailored to the Japanese market.
The Minister welcomed the Japanese companies to Pakistan to train locals according to Japanese market demands. He also highlighted the importance of technical assistance and training programs, such as the Technical Intern Training Program and the Specified Skilled Workers Program.
He noted that Japan is known for its strict adherence to rules and regulations, and therefore, Pakistan wants Japanese expertise to train its human resources and establish testing facilities in Pakistan.
He also mentioned that Pakistan is working with South Korea on similar grounds and has seen significant success, with the number of Pakistanis going to South Korea increasing from 1,500 to around 5,000, and for the first time, around 20 to 30 workers from Balochistan will also go to South Korea.
The Minister said almost 700,000 people are going abroad for jobs, and out of these, only a few are going to Japan. This number can be increased by establishing testing centers in Pakistan.
The Japanese Ambassador, in his remarks, lauded Pakistan’s resilience and determination, acknowledging the country’s immense potential for growth and development.
He reiterated Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic trajectory, underscoring the importance of human resource development, education, and vocational training in driving sustainable growth.
The envoy also expressed Japan’s interest in collaborating with Pakistan to establish vocational training institutes, designed to equip Pakistani youth with the skills required to succeed in Japan’s highly competitive job market.
Both the Minister and the Ambassador concurred that the trajectory of Pakistan-Japan relations is poised for a significant upswing, with a renewed focus on economic cooperation, human resource development, and mutual growth.