Japan needs 790 Thousand IT Professionals till 2030 – Two Programs Designed for Pakistani Youth
Exclusive Interview of Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad (Order of Rising Sun Award) Shares Experiences of Service in Tokyo
By Tazeen Akhatar / Naveed Ahmed Khan Photo by Raja Farid
Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad has shared that Japan needs 790 thousand IT professionals , software developers until 2030 that offers huge scope for Pakistani experts to try their luck there. He has played his key role in signing two agreements between Japanese and Pakistani organizations in this regard. Imtiaz Ahmad has served in Japan for a long time as Pakistani Ambassador. He is an expert of the Japanese language. Imtiaz Ahmad has been decorated with the Order of Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star Award by the government of Japan for his services to building mutual cooperation and close partnerships between the two countries.
Imtiaz Ahmad was contacted for a meeting by Pakistani Editors to congratulate for the award. A discussion on the status of bilateral trade and about the prospects of enhancing the level as well as what are the areas where Pakistan can improve the balance in its favor also came under discussion.
Imtiaz is highly optimistic on the promotion of cooperation in the IT sector especially. To a question about this sector, he disclosed that both countries are moving forward in this sphere for its potential to be tapped.
” We are in touch with Japanese organizations to avail this opportunity for Pakistani IT experts. A portal FITE is available where CVs can be submitted. There is an office of PLUS W at NUST that can also be contacted in this regard. We signed 2 agreements in 2019. Technical Intern Training Program TITP is for the trainees who are presently going to Japan where they are paid a remuneration during the training. Second is the Specified Skilled Workers SSW program in which skilled professionals with Japanese language proficiency only can apply. We are hoping that a center is established in Pakistan for skills tests, Ambassador Imtiaz said.
He said that we are sharing the details of the IT program for Japan with all concerned Pakistani organizations including Higher Education Commission, NAVTEC, NUTEC, NDMA, Ministries of Education, IT and Overseas to make the maximum out of this remarkable opportunity.
To a question about Pakistanis living and working in Japan, Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad answered that approximately 23 thousand Pakistanis are there playing their constructive role in the economy of Japan and Pakistan in the shape of remittances and repute. Most of them deal in used cars and vehicles exported to more than 70 countries in the world. We are working on TITP with a view that the program is useful to increase the number of Pakistanis in Japan.
“We invited two Japanese companies dealing in food and fruit to Karachi after our successful interaction in an online meeting. They are HOKKEN in Mushrooms and ENERGY in Strawberry business. HOKKEN holds 50% of Mushroom business in Japan. We held a seminar in PC Karachi on how to develop joint ventures in Pakistan. The representatives of the companies visited farm houses in internal Sindh, Ambassador Imtiaz further shared.
Imtiaz Ahmad, commenting on bilateral trade said, “Pakistan and Japan are major trade partners of each other. Japan has invested in Pakistan in diversified fields including social uplift, cultural interactions, technology, infrastructure etc. More than 85 Japanese companies are working in Pakistan. Japanese exports to Pakistan are $1.69 Billion while Pakistani exports stand at $230 Million. This is a huge gap no doubt. Pakistani exports had to bear a big jolt after 1999 when Japan shifted to China and other countries for Cotton Yarn. Pakistan was exporting Cotton worth $400 to 500 Million at that time.”
“Now how can Pakistan narrow this gap? The answer to this question is with export surplus, with alternatives, with value added products, with new items. We have potential in the agri sector. Japan is importing Pakistani mangoes, Chaunsa and Sindhri. We can work on the export of Citrus as well. Pakistan is exporting Basmati Rice and Spices as well, Imtiaz Ahmad shared.
Imtiaz Ahmad also outlined the strategy to enhance bilateral cooperation in different sectors. Japan is a high tech nation while Pakistan is mostly a user nation. To walk with a high tech nation, to upgrade ourselves is definitely imperative. Japanese are very strict on time while Pakistanis don’t bother even if we are half an hour late.
He recommends projection of tourist sites including Gandhara civilization to Japan. He says that cultural and lingual contacts are the main factors in the acceleration of cooperation. He shared his memories of holding cultural and culinary events for Japanese business and media people in Tokyo only to introduce Pakistani culture and cuisine. Imtiaz concluded that culture and people to people contacts are a must to increase the bilateral ties in other sectors as well.
(Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad, Executive Member Pakistan Japan Cultural Association and former Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan awarded the prestigious Imperial decoration “THE ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, GOLD AND SILVER STAR” in recognition of his meritorious services at a prestigious ceremony held at the official residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E. Mitsuhiro WADA on October 27, 2023. The ceremony was attended by the family, relatives, friends, and colleagues of H.E. Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad. H.E. Mr. Asad Majeed Khan, former Foreign Secretary, and former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Japan, also graced the occasion with his kind presence.
In addition to his regular diplomatic activities, his great contributions to further promote the existing socio-cultural ties between the two countries were hailed by the participants. During the Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 he left a deep impact on Japanese people by his presence with the disaster victims and was highly praised by the Pakistani and Japanese media.
In his congratulatory remarks, H.E. Ambassador WADA greatly appreciated the efforts of Ambassador Imtiaz and said this prestigious Imperial decoration is the acknowledgement of his efforts and dedication towards the further strengthening of friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan. Fluent in Japanese language and well versed with Japanese culture, Ambassador Imtiaz truly played the role of a bridge between Japan and Pakistan and deserves our sincere applause and commendation, said Ambassador WADA.
Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad for honoring his dedications by holding the special conferral ceremony in the Ambassador’s residence.)