In an interview with our columnist and president of Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat, Mukesh Patel, consul general of Japan in Mumbai , Hirotsugu Hagiuda, 62, talks of closer economic co-operation and investment prospects in Gujarat.
Q: Nano has arrived in Gujarat. As consul general of Japan in Mumbai, how do you look at Gujarat as an investment destination for Japanese investors?
A: Congratulations to your state for this achievement. I am impressed with industrial progress of your state and its favourable business climate. Japanese investors attach great value to infrastructure development and business environment while choosing their investment destination and this is where Gujarat can score over other Indian states. Gujarat is certainly a great place to be for Japanese investors.
Q: What do you think of prospects of Indo-Japanese economic co-operation?
A: Under its Special Economic Partnership Initiative (SEPI), Japan has focused on consolidating its economic ties with India. Comprehensive agreements for economic co-operation are proposed to be finalised between the two governments during the official visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan from October 21 to 23.
Q: What are the key areas in which Japan can support Gujarat? You are aware that Gujarat government has offered to allot special facilities for setting up a 'mini-Japan' in Gujarat.
A: As an integral part of Japan's ambitious SEPI plan, we are keen to extend all support and co-operation for development of hard and soft infrastructure in India. Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) is heavily funding the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and freight corridor projects. Gujarat figures prominently in both. With a view to develop human resource skills (soft infrastructure), Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has undertaken two programmes - 'training of Japanese management skills for Indian managers' and 'visionary leaders manufacturing programme.'
Concentrating on information technology alone cannot promote long-term employment. Key to prosperity lies in also focusing on manufacturing sector and increasing exports. Here, there is great scope and potential for Gujarat to receive all-round assistance from Japan. We are keen to ensure that more and more Japanese investors come to India. I appreciate the dynamic proposal of your CM for setting up a mini-Japan in Gujarat and hope that it will meet with the desired response.
Q: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has recently called upon students and youth of Gujarat to learn Japanese. How can we look forward to the support of the Japanese Consulate in this regard?
A: I am delighted with your CM's proposal and we will be glad to help. Indo-Japan Friendship Association (IJFA) can play a key role in furthering Japanese language learning mission in Gujarat. I will visit Ahmedabad in January 2009 for Japan Cultural Festival and we shall take up this matter.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and www.indiansintokyo.com is not responsible for any errors in the same.
