Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje interacted with select members of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Osaka today.

The Chief Minister encouraged Japanese business leaders to view Rajasthan as a gateway to the burgeoning Indian market and said,

“We have come a long way. This is an opportune time to re-energize our relationship and work with Japanese authorities and the business community to secure a better future for Rajasthan. I look forward to a long and sustained relationship between Rajasthan and Japan.”

After the meeting, CM had a one to one meeting with Mr. Masayuki Matsushita, Vice Chairman of the Board, Panasonic Corporation. CM made a pitch for Rajasthan as an investment destination before Panasonic. Mr. Matsushita commented that he was enthused by the reforms undertaken and assured that his company shall seriously consider Rajasthan.

The meeting was followed by a visit to the Daikin Global HQs in Osaka. Daikin is one of the biggest Japanese companies operating out of Rajasthan. Daikin has a significant operation in Neerana Japanese Investment Zone. A brief film on Rajasthan was screened. Mr. Kanwaljeet Jawa, MD Daikin India made a presentation on Daikin’s global operations and growth. President Daikin Mr. Masanori Togawa, in his remarks thanked the Government of Rajasthan for the support so far and said he looked forward to the day when Rajasthan operations of the company became the source of exports from India to South East Asia and Middle East.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited the plant of the tableware and technology company Noritake in Nagoya. Noritake, is a world leader in ceramics and one of their better known divisions creates bespoke table ware. The other Divisions deal with industrial ceramics, Hi-tec materials and ceramic manufacturing tools. CM invited Noritake to consider Rajasthan as a place to set up a plant since the vast gypsum, feldspar, quartz and wollostanite deposits gave the state a natural advantage. Predient Noritake, Tadashi Ogura said his company would scout Rajasthan and then take a call on investment. He personally showed Smt Raje around the Museum and crafts centres.

Koyoto, April 9 2015