“We have noted with interest the improvement of investment climate in Rajasthan…” – Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Chief Minister Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, paid a courtesy call on the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his office in Tokyo today. She was accompanied by India’s Ambassador to Japan and Chief Secretary, Rajasthan. Ms. Raje was warmly welcome by PM Shinzo Abe.

PM Abe, in the course of the brief meeting, welcomed her to Japan and made mention that the Japanese government and investors have been closely watching the improvement in the investment climate of the state. He went on to mention the strengthening of ties between India and Japan and the efforts made by Prime Minister Modi.

He said, “India and Japan are friends. Japanese companies are being encouraged to invest overseas and it is likely that Rajasthan too shall see increased investment flow from Japan”.

Chief Minister briefed the Japanese Premier on the recent initiatives in the state and explained in detail the growth in the Neemrana region – where, in the country’s first exclusive Japanese Industrial area, over 200 Japanese live and work. She invited PM Abe to visit India and Rajasthan and also made a request that Japan become a partner country for the upcoming, Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, slated to be held in November this year.

In the afternoon, she called on Yoichi Miyazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In a meeting that lasted an hour, the two leaders discussed how the economic relations between Japan and Rajasthan could be taken to the next level. An MoU with regard to mutual cooperation, especially in the areas of investment promotion, was signed with METI.

In the morning, the Chief Minister met the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige, the Chief Minister conveyed her satisfaction and comfort the state has enjoyed in working with JETRO in promotion of investment. JETRO assured the Chief Minister of continued support in promoting Rajasthan as an investment destination among Japanese corporates.

Ms. Raje also met Mr. Hideaki Domichi, President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She outlined areas where Rajasthan could look at support from JICA. These included sanitation for women, lake rehabilitation/conservation and water logging problems in canal areas. Further, she discussed how JICA could be a partner in Phase II of the Jaipur Metro and in minor and medium irrigation projects.

Three MoUs were signed during the course of the day. The MoU with Human Resources & Industry Development Association (HIDA) aims at capacity building. The MoU with Hirohama Group and Amrita Branding is about setting up plug and play facility at Neemrana & Ghiloth, respectively.

In course of the day, Ms. Raje also had fruitful interactions with the senior management of Sojitz Corporation, a USD 50 Billion Japanese company which in partnership with Larsen & Toubro Limited, is working on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. At the offices of Keidanren, an influential Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Chief Minister had an hour long meeting with its Vice-Chairman, Mr. Hiroaki Nakanishi, CEO, Hitachi Ltd. Mr. Nakanishi assured the Chief Minister that all members of Keidanren would be suitably briefed on advantage Rajasthan and encouraged to attend the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit. He expressed his own company’s satisfaction with the industrial scenario in the state.

About Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit

The Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, scheduled to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India on November 19-20, 2015, will bring together leading investors from all over the world for interacting with policy makers, including the political leadership, government officials and local business leaders on the investment environment and opportunities in Rajasthan. The summit will have thematic seminars, conventions, panel discussions, discussion forums, B2B & B2G meetings, exhibition pavilions and other networking programmes. The state government expects a significant surge in global investor interest and definite commitment to invest as a result of the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit.

Tokyo, April 6, 2015