Ahmedabad, Oct 19 Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi held a roundtable meeting with Japanese industrialists and investors in Osaka on Monday and conducted 11 one-on-one meetings to explore investment opportunities in various sectors.
The meetings were part of the state’s outreach for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, to be held in January next year, aiming to strengthen economic ties between Gujarat and Japan and attract fresh investments to the state, according to an official release.
Addressing the roundtable, Sanghavi described Japan as the “Land of the Rising Sun” and Gujarat as the “land of rising opportunities”, highlighting the longstanding ties between India and Japan, based on mutual trust, respect and shared values.
He said Gujarat, which accounts for five per cent of India’s population, contributes more than eight per cent to the country’s GDP and 18 per cent of its industrial output.
Nearly one-third of India’s exports originate from Gujarat, while its ports handle 40 per cent of the country’s total cargo, he said.
Sanghavi also said 65 per cent of Gujarat’s energy comes from renewable sources, according to the release.
“Gujarat stands for speed, scale, and stability,” he said, adding that the state offers transparent policies, quick decision-making and access to the Indian market.
Referring to existing Japanese investments and collaborations in Gujarat, Sanghavi cited Suzuki, the bullet train project, and Japanese industrial parks as examples of the growing partnership between the two sides.
He said Gujarat is emerging as a hub for futuristic sectors, including semiconductors, green energy, electric vehicles and electronics, and called on Japanese companies to explore investment opportunities in the state.
While Japan has advanced technology, Gujarat offers skilled talent, creating scope for collaboration and global competitiveness, he said.
“Come, see, invest, and achieve growth with us,” Sanghavi said, inviting Japanese investors to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
The roundtable was attended by representatives of Japanese companies, including Daiki Aluminium Industry Co. Ltd., Nakanishi Metal Works Co. Ltd. and Panasonic Energy, as well as Susumu Saito, secretary general of the Kansai Japan-India Association.
Yoshikazu Noda, mayor of Higashiosaka, and Ryosuke Takashima, mayor of Ashiya City, were also present, along with other business leaders and representatives of the Japanese government, the release said.
In a post on X, Sanghavi said he also held separate meetings with NTN Bearings India Pvt. Ltd. and Kishida Chemicals in Osaka to explore investment opportunities and strengthen industrial partnerships ahead of the summit.
The state government said the meetings were aimed at attracting large-scale investments and establishing new industrial partnerships between Gujarat and Japan.
(PTI News)
