In February, the inauguration of the Engro-Asahi polyvinyl chloride plant took place. This was followed in March by Pak-Suzuki s launching of the new 1000 cc car Cultus and Daihatsu s starting the production of the small car Cuore . Suzuki further launched the new model Alto in September. I also attach great importance to cultural exchanges, be it sports exchanges, art exhibitions, Ikebana demonstrations, Haiku Mushaira, Japanese language teaching or other education-related programmes. From this year we have introduced the Japan-Pakistan Friendship Fest, which will span a period of four to five months, with a greatly increased number of cultural functions to introduce Japan to the people of Pakistan.
Tourism is also an effective way to increase our mutual contacts and improve our mutual images.
In fact, there have been an increasing number of vigorous Japanese senior citizens, that is, retired people and their spouses in their 60s and 70s, who come to Hunza and other areas of Pakistan to visit the relics of Gandhara civilization and appreciate the spectacular views of the mountains After all, it is the people who count the most. When there is a reservoir of goodwill on the part of our two peoples, there is no reason why we should not try to tap it to the fullest. The year 2002, when we will be celebrating the 50 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, should prove to be a landmark year in this regard. I look forward to working together with our friends in Pakistan to make that year as successful as possible. To conclude, I would like to congratulate The News once again for publishing this supplement.