Making a strong pitch for investment in the field of automotive, electric vehicles (EV), energy storage, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, chemicals and petrochemical, health and education, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma held talks with ministers of the Japan government and sought Japan's continued support in facilitating investments in Rajasthan.
Sharma held meetings with Ishii Taku, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ishibashi Rintaro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). He invited them to attend the upcoming ‘Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024, which is scheduled to be held in Jaipur in December this year.
Apart from that, the chief minister-led delegation which includes deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa, ACS to CM Shikhar Agarwal and principal secretary industries Ajitabh Sharma among others, also held series of one-on-one interactions with the senior officials of major Japanese firms including Honda Motor Company Limited, Wafaku Hospitals and Home Care Group, TOHO Group among others.
During the meeting with Honda, officials of the company expressed their gratitude for the Government of Rajasthan's continued support for company's existing facility in the state and mentioned that Rajasthan figures prominently in their long-term vision and expansion plans.
The Chief Minister shared the investment opportunities and potential in the EV sector in the state and suggested that a potential site for the EV unit can be explored in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area (JPMIA).
Officials of Wafuku Hospital and Home Care Group also expressed their interest in setting up a hospital and a Japanese language school in Rajasthan. This is estimated to train about 10,000 people in next 5-6 years.
The delegation also met senior officials TOHO Group, a Japanese firm, during which the Chief Minister spoke about the investment opportunities and efforts to make the business friendly. He also invited TOHO Group to invest and expand their business in Rajasthan.
The delegation has now left for another Japanese city Osaka, where another investors' meet has been organised tomorrow with several Japanese firms.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
