Japanese delegation meets Capt, shows interest in investing in state
Japan has evinced interest in investing in Punjab and partnering the state across key segments of growth and development.
A high-level Japanese delegation, including its the envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu and Mitsubishi managing director Kazunori Konishi, met chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in Delhi on Thursday and discussed possible areas of investment and collaboration.
The discussions were preliminary but it will pave the way for more intensive discussions in future, said a state government spokesman. The discussion covered a wide range of subjects which the two sides agreed to deliberate further to work out a collaborative mechanism.
The spokesperson said after the meeting, Mitsubishi officials made a presentation to the CM listing several important areas for possible investment. These included power, smart cities, (automated guideway transit), industrial parks and captive power plants, besides strengthening of some existing projects.
Amarinder also discussed development of roads and highways as a key step towards improvement of Punjab’s infrastructure.
The two sides decided to explore possible cooperation in agriculture and the CM invited Japanese experts to visit the state, particularly Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to examine the feasibility of agricultural cooperation. An exchange programme for agricultural scientists could be worked out, the spokesman added. Amarinder said he was committed to Punjab’s modernisation in which Japan could join in as an important partner.