specific industrial zone in Pakistan to increase investment in areas of auto and machinery. Japan will also be extended special incentives in existing export industrial zones. Officials expect that a gradual relaxation in car import policy allowed by Islamabad may crop up for discussions with Japanese authorities as most of the local manufacturers in Pakistan are of Japanese origin. Pakistan, officials said, had decided not to seek extension in deletion programme under the WTO mechanism and protect through a home-grown programme that would be announced during the current fiscal year. On August 11, the Pakistani prime minister will leave for Hong Kong on his way back to Islamabad on August 13. Before embarking on his tour, the prime minister held a brainstorming session with Pakistan's leading businessmen and industrialists who accompanied him. The meeting focused on exploring ways of increasing trade and business with Japan. "Pakistan of today is a country of opportunity, hope and promise," Aziz said. "It has the potential of becoming a hub of manufacturing in the region," he added. The prime minister asked the businessmen and industrialists to strive for forging even closer ties with the Japanese businessmen and particularly to explore the possibilities of undertaking joint ventures in various fields. He said the Japanese contractors will be invited to bid for infrastructure projects in the country "as we believe in creating a win-win situation for the businessmen of both the countries".
