By SKM
August 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum, Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a high-level meeting here on Thursday (August 28, 2025) with a delegation from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), led by Mr. Taro Kato, Director General for Mining and Metals Finance.
The discussions centered on expanding bilateral collaboration in Pakistan’s mining and energy sectors, with particular focus on the strategically vital Reko Diq project.
Welcoming Japan’s growing engagement, Minister Malik expressed deep appreciation for JBIC’s interest in Pakistan’s resource-rich mining sector, says the press note of the Petroleum Division.
“We are sincerely grateful for Japan’s confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential,” said the Minister. “Our mining industry is progressing steadily, and we are determined to position it as a pillar of national economic development.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister assured the JBIC delegation of full and unconditional support for the Reko Diq project at all levels—federal and provincial—underscoring a unified approach to facilitating foreign investment.
The Minister hailed JBIC’s prospective inclusion in the Reko Diq lender consortium as a milestone, calling it a transformational step in Pakistan-Japan economic cooperation.
“This project is more than just a mining venture,” he noted. “It represents a new standard for sustainable, responsible, and inclusive development in Pakistan’s extractive sector.”
Sharing the government’s broader investment outlook, Mr. Malik emphasized Pakistan’s efforts to streamline and modernize its mining regulatory framework.
“We are actively engaging with international partners and aligning our legal and policy frameworks to attract global investment. Our goal is to position Pakistan as a leading destination for capital, technology, and expertise in mining.”
In response, Mr. Taro Kato welcomed the positive developments and expressed JBIC’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Pakistan.
“Japanese investors are taking a renewed interest in Pakistan’s markets,” said Mr. Kato. “JBIC is eager to build on this momentum—not only in mining, but across the broader energy value chain.”
Mr. Kenichiro Kitamura, JBIC’s Chief Representative for the Middle East, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the strategic value of direct, high-level engagements.
“Such interactions are instrumental in shaping investor perceptions,” he remarked. “They foster trust and lay the foundation for enduring, mutually beneficial economic relationships.”
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration, leveraging Japan’s world-class financial and technological capabilities to responsibly harness Pakistan’s natural resource potential, and advance a sustainable, investment-friendly future. Ends
