KARACHI (PPI) - Pakistan should learn and adopt the strategies of Japanese SMEs to uplift the SME sector in Pakistan. JETRO Pakistan and KCCI may join hands for mutual cooperation to promote SMEs. This was stated by Muhammad Saeed Shafiq, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in a meeting with Consul General of Japan Masaharu Sato. The KCCI president in his welcome note emphasized to promote SMEs which are the driving force for the growth of economy. He focused that Pakistans exports to Japan can be multiplied while exploring the vast missed and untapped opportunities. The Pakistan-Japan Special Economic Zone to be established in Karachi will prove to be a milestone for enhancement of bilateral trade. He drew the attention of Consul General of Japan towards export potential of Pakistan fruits especially mango & citrus fruits, vegetables, rice, and livestock along with textile products including cotton yarn, woven fabrics, leather goods, surgical & sports goods, hand-made-carpets, fish and fish products. Saeed Shafiq said Pakistan produces worlds best mango which has great demand in Japan. He stated that Pakistan-Japan trade was facing imbalance which cannot be abridged because Japan is one of the worlds largest economy, however, Japan offers tremendous opportunities as the Pakistans exports are just 11 percent of what Japan exports to Pakistan. He also appreciated the efforts of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to develop and promote SME sector in Pakistan and JICA for technical training programmes. He said Pakistan-Japan major joint ventures were in automobiles and motorcycles, investment banking and power plants. He asserted to explore more opportunities of joint ventures in power generation, construction of mega projects etc. He concluded that Pakistan offers great opportunities to Japan due to its strategic location on the cross-roads of South Asia, Central Asian republics & Middle East and through Gwadar, Japan can tap their large markets. Consul General of Japan, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the burning issues acting as impediment for investment. He stated that better law and order situation, proper infrastructure and consistent government policies are essential to attract investment. He asserted upon the need of productive action on discussion between Pakistan-Japan business communities. He said Pakistan has the required potential however, difficulties come due to political uncertainty. He also said economic boom came in Japan after World War II and the Korean War brought opportunities for Japan to emerge as developed economy, since Pakistan is also fighting war against terror, therefore, the friendly countries may increase trade to uplift Pak economy. He assured cooperation with KCCI on matters of mutual interest. The Consul General underscored the need of improving the perception of Pakistan in the eyes of the countries worldwide. Junaid Esmail Makda, Vice President KCCI, proposed signing of MoU between KCCI & JETRO Pakistan to promote SMEs. He also highlighted the issue of several costly lab-tests (pesticides) for export of agro products to Japan and urged for some relaxation in regulations.