Pakistan invites Japan to join mineral sector drive through joint ventures, value addition
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has invited Japan to invest in its minerals sector through joint ventures focused on exploration, processing and value addition, with commerce minister, Jam Kamal, holding high-level meetings in Tokyo this week, the government said in a statement on Thursday.
The outreach is part of Pakistan's broader push to attract foreign investment and strengthen its struggling economy. Islamabad has prioritized mining and minerals as a key sector for economic diversification, and is seeking Japanese collaboration to unlock its untapped resource potential while aligning with Tokyo's industrial needs.
'Our mineral sector remains largely underexplored,' Kamal said during meetings with officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan–Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee (JPBCC).
'We are offering Japanese partners the opportunity to participate in high-value ventures that can help build sustainable supply chains for critical minerals,' he added.
The minister highlighted reserves of rare earth elements like copper, gold and other industrial minerals, positioning Pakistan as a strategic destination for resource-based cooperation.
He emphasized Pakistan's openness to technology transfer, public-private partnerships and long-term frameworks that support mutual gains.
In his conversation with JICA's Senior Vice President HARA Shohei, Kamal underlined the importance of aligning future development cooperation with Pakistan's industrial modernization and export-oriented growth.
He acknowledged Japan's long-standing contribution of over $11 billion in areas such as energy, transport and vocational training, and called for expanded technical assistance in mineral logistics, industrial clusters and green technologies.
Meeting JETRO President Susumu Kataoka and Executive Vice President Kazuya Nakajo, the minister urged greater Japanese investment in Pakistan's Special Economic Zones and export-oriented sectors.
He called on JETRO to promote Pakistan's mineral sector to Japanese industry through seminars, business-to-business (B2B) outreach, and participation in trade exhibitions.
At a luncheon hosted by JPBCC, Kamal encouraged deeper B2B ties and sought active Japanese input for the upcoming Pakistan-Japan Business Dialogue.
'Our doors are open,' he said. 'We see Japan not only as a partner but as a catalyst for transforming Pakistan's economic base. With your advanced technology and our resource potential, we can build future-proof industries together.'
Pakistan has in recent years stepped up its diplomatic engagement with key economic partners to promote sectors such as information technology, light engineering and mineral development.
The Tokyo visit marks a fresh attempt to align its resource-led ambitions with Japan's technological strengths and global supply chain priorities.
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