The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to launch a new programme to enhance imports of Pakistan’s textile products from February next year for which Jica and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) would be developing a joint website that will make credible information about Japanese markets available to Pakistani exporters.

Hideaki Shimizu, Jica Adviser to TDAP and head of delegates, informed the Pakistani industrialists on Wednesday that Japanese buyers have their own standards as they are very conscious about product quality which the exporters need to follow their trends.

Japanese importers recently visited the Pakistan-Japan Textile Day held in Lahore and engaged in productive meetings with the exporters. Such meetings would help them understand each other.

A Japanese importer suggested that Pakistan and Japan should enter into a free trade agreement for which the Pakistani exporters would have to exert pressure on the government.

He further pointed out that Pakistan’s export consignments took 17 days to reach Japan via sea route and said that the duration should be curtailed by promoting fast movement of import and export consignments.

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Vice President Jameel Ahmed outlined some basic issues that were hindering bilateral trade.

The FCCI fully understanding the importance of bilateral trade want to sign a memorandum of understanding with leading chambers of Japan.

FCCI Senior Vice President Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain said that though businessmen of Faisalabad were dealing with importers of the US and European Union, they had to cope with the condition of laboratory test and hence suggested Jica to set up a laboratory that could issue certificates, particularly for Japanese markets.

As Jica was already helping the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to manage the water supply and sewerage system, FCCI senior VP requested them to also install a water treatment plant in Faisalabad.