ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Governor of Osaka Prefecture of Japan Ichiro Matsui paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Thursday, and solicited support of Pakistan for Japan’s bid to host World Expo 2025.
In the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, the Osaka governor also asked for Pakistan’s support to have a sister-province arrangement between Pakistan and Japan.
The Osaka governor expressed his earnest desire to further strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan.
Governor of #Osaka Prefecture of @Japan headed a delegation and called on the FM. Discussions took place on deepening trade ties between the two countries. @japan @MofaJapan_en pic.twitter.com/64O7UoZ0lI
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) November 1, 2018
The foreign minister while acknowledging the position of Japan as an important development partner, appreciated the contributions made by Japan in supporting Pakistan’s development efforts over the years. He encouraged the Japanese investors to grab the new opportunities available in Pakistan for deepening trade and investment ties in the wake of the improved security environment.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan fully understands that Japan and in particular Osaka has the capability to host World Expo 2025. He said that Japan successfully held Expo in 1970 which is clearly reflective of Japan’s experience as well as expertise to host such a mega event.
While appreciating the theme of Expo 2025 “Designing Future Societies”, he said that Japan’s request for Pakistan’s support to host Expo-2025 would be given due consideration.
The foreign minister assured that the proposal of having sister-province arrangement between Pakistan and Japan would be given serious consideration.
