Sindh Governor seeks joint ventures with Japan to boost provincial industry
KARACHI (Staff Report): Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi has invited Japanese companies to explore joint ventures and investment opportunities in Sindh’s industrial sector, while expressing the provincial government’s interest in sending Pakistani students to Japan on scholarships to benefit from its technological and economic expertise.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of Japan Festival (Japan Fest) 2026 at Beach Luxury Hotel on Friday, the governor said Japan had made remarkable progress in almost every sector and Pakistan should learn from its technological advancement and development experience.
He said Japan’s transformation into a major economic power after World War II was not an easy achievement, adding that its journey offered important lessons for Pakistan.
The governor said Pakistan highly valued Japanese technology and could benefit from greater cooperation with Japanese industries. He expressed hope that Japanese companies would consider investing in Sindh through joint ventures, particularly in the industrial sector.
He also highlighted the importance of educational cooperation, saying Pakistan wanted to send its students to Japan on scholarships so they could acquire knowledge and learn from the country’s experience.
Referring to the longstanding cultural connection between the two countries, Hashmi said Japanese products, including Toyota and Sony, had become familiar to Pakistani consumers, making Japan feel like a close partner.
He described Karachi as a cosmopolitan city with a distinct identity and welcomed the participation of people from different age groups and walks of life at the festival.
The governor also referred to Japan’s cultural heritage, particularly the Samurai tradition, praising the discipline and patience associated with it.
Japanese Consul General in Karachi Hattori Masaru thanked the governor for attending the festival despite his busy schedule, saying his participation reflected the importance Pakistan attached to the cultural exchange between the two countries.
He said Japan Fest was more than a cultural event, describing it as a platform for strengthening friendship and promoting closer ties between the people of Pakistan and Japan.
Organized by the Consulate-General of Japan in collaboration with the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association, Sindh, and the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum, Japan Fest 2026 featured traditional Japanese dances, a cosplay competition, performances by Japanese dance group Atsushi Crew, Ikebana, Bonsai displays, Origami and cultural activities.
The festival aimed to promote Japanese culture while further strengthening people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Japan.