By. Muhammad Irfan Siddiqui
Pakistan and Japan have significant untapped potential to further strengthen their trade and business relations, particularly by attracting large-scale Japanese investment into Pakistan. This was stated by Syed Feroz Alam Shah, Director and Vice Chairman of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum and Advisor to the Board of Investment (BOI), Pakistan, while speaking to the media.
Syed Feroz Alam Shah emphasized that Japan is one of the world’s most stable and long-term oriented economies, and Pakistan can greatly benefit if the right policy framework is put in place. He stressed that institutions such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) must play a proactive role in facilitating Japanese investors through one-window operations, streamlined approvals, and transparent procedures.
“Japanese investors plan for decades, not years. Pakistan must offer them long-term, consistent and reliable investment policies so they can make strategic decisions with confidence,” he said. According to him, policy uncertainty remains one of the key barriers preventing Japanese corporations from relocating manufacturing units or making substantial investments in Pakistan.
He pointed out that while Pakistan and Japan share historical and diplomatic goodwill, bilateral trade volumes remain far below their true potential and are heavily tilted in Japan’s favor. To correct this imbalance, Pakistan must focus on quality enhancement, standardization, and compliance with Japanese market requirements.
Syed Feroz Alam Shah urged Pakistani exporters and industrialists to actively participate in trade exhibitions and expos in Japan, stating that such platforms are essential for building trust, showcasing Pakistani products, and securing long-term orders. “Japan is a quality-driven market. Pakistani products can compete successfully, but only if international standards are strictly followed,” he noted.
Highlighting sectoral opportunities, he said Information Technology remains one of the most promising areas for collaboration, with Japan facing an acute shortage of skilled manpower. Pakistan, he added, possesses a young, tech-savvy workforce that can support Japan’s digital and innovation-driven economy. Similarly, he identified human resource cooperation as another area where both countries can mutually benefit.
Speaking on Japanese investment culture, he stressed that Japanese firms prefer stable ecosystems where governance, infrastructure, taxation, and legal frameworks are predictable. “If Pakistan ensures consistency and removes bureaucratic bottlenecks, Japanese companies are fully capable of relocating manufacturing, technology, and capital into Pakistan,” he said.
Syed Feroz Alam Shah is widely regarded as a seasoned professional with deep insight into Pakistan–Japan economic relations. His role as Advisor to the Board of Investment and his leadership within the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum have positioned him as a key bridge between the two economies. Known for his pragmatic approach and long-standing engagement with Japanese stakeholders, he has consistently advocated structured, sustainable, and investor-friendly reforms.
He concluded by saying that with coordinated efforts between government institutions, private sector bodies, and forums like the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum, Pakistan can significantly enhance its economic partnership with Japan and attract meaningful, long-term investment that supports industrial growth and employment generation.
