Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz left for Japan and Hong Kong Monday on a week-long visit to promote economic and political relations with the two nations, officials said. In the first part, he flew to Japan to pay a three-day visit on the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi to seek increased market access and tariff concessions for Pakistani exports. Minister for Industries and Production and Special Initiatives Jehangir Khan Tareen, Minister for Tourism Dr Ghazi Ghulab Jamal, Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Minister of State for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khan, Chairmen of Export Promotion Bureau and Board of Investment and businessmen accompanied the prime minister. Officials said Islamabad was seeking increased market access to Japan under a proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Formal discussions on PTA could start soon after the visit. The current trade balance is significantly in favour of Japan as Pakistan's exports are $125 million and its imports are between $900 million. Hence, Pakistan will also seek special tariff concessions to boost its exports to Japan, particularly of leather and sports goods. --more 1305 Local Time 1005 GMT
