PUNE: Maharashtra has emerged as one of the top destinations for Japanese companies operating in the country. Of the total 1,309 Japanese firms in the country, Maharashtra has more than 750 of them operating in various sectors. And the number is likely to increase further as more Japanese companies are now looking for investment in the State. This was highlighted at the event ‘Konnichi Wa, Pune’ organised by the Indo-Japan Business Council at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth on Saturday.
The council was a two-day first of its kind business festival to boost investment and cultural exchange between Maharashtra-India and Japan.
“The number of Japanese companies coming to the State will grow steadily in the next couple of years with a focus on potential big city markets like Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur among others and not in Mumbai alone,” said President of Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC) Shrikant Atre.
With the State government’s ‘Make in Maharashtra’ initiative, many Japanese companies have expressed interest in the development of infrastructure and tourism.
“The overall growth in bilateral trade has been consistent by 8 to 10 per cent, with an exception of 2016-17 but the same is poised to reach a notable high when Japan becomes a top business partner for Maharashtra,” said Atre.
Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda of Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai said, “Maharashtra plays an important and leading role in furthering the economic relations between Japan and India. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project is an iconic joint project between the two countries, which will introduce our Shinkansen technology. Japan has made a commitment to this project which will be funded by Japan.”
“Japan has also assisted the development of Maharashtra in other sectors, such as pollution abatement project on Mula-Mutha River in Pune. More than 10 per cent of Japanese companies in India have headquarters in Maharashtra,” he added.
Takeshi Honjo, Director General of Jetro Mumbai, Tatsunori Onishi of Wakayama Prefecture Government, Mumbai office, Maharashtra, Nobuyoshi Miyasaka, Director of Yokohama City Government, Mumbai office and Director of Nelito Systems Ajay Chaddha were present at the inaugural event.