Islamabad, August 28, 2025(News Desk): Federal Minister for Petroleum, Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a meeting today with a high-level delegation from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), led by Mr. Taro Kato, Director General of Mining and Metals Finance. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in Pakistan’s mining and energy sectors, with particular emphasis on the landmark Reqo Diq project.
Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s interest in Pakistan, noting that international confidence in the country’s economic potential continues to grow. “We are deeply grateful for the Japanese interest and confidence in investing in Pakistan’s economic potential. The mining sector has made great strides in progress and development, and we are committed to making it a cornerstone of our economy,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Reqo Diq project, the Minister assured the delegation of Pakistan’s “unconditional support for the project across all levels of government, both federal and provincial,” underscoring the unified approach aimed at creating a facilitative environment for major international investments. He welcomed JBIC’s decision to join the lender group for the project, calling it “a pivotal moment that will set the standard for responsible and sustainable mining in Pakistan for decades to come.”
Outlining the government’s broader strategy, Minister Malik highlighted ongoing efforts to harmonize Pakistan’s mining framework with international best practices. “Our goal is to ease the investment process, ensuring Pakistan is a premier destination for international capital and expertise,” he added.
Mr. Taro Kato, speaking on behalf of JBIC, acknowledged the improved investment climate in Pakistan. “There is increased interest from Japanese investors in Pakistan’s markets. JBIC is keen to foster this positive momentum and deepen our cooperation, not only in mining but across the overall energy sector,” he said.
Echoing these views, Mr. Kenichiro Kitamura, Chief Representative for the Middle East at JBIC, emphasized the significance of high-level engagements. “Visits and dialogues like these are invaluable. They directly help improve the perspective of Japanese investors towards Pakistan, building trust and paving the way for mutually beneficial partnerships,” he remarked.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to continue close collaboration, leveraging Japanese financial and technological expertise to unlock Pakistan’s natural resources responsibly and profitably.