The Hindu Business Line : `Japan cos keen to collaborate in shipbuilding'

Mangalore May 24 Some Japanese companies are ready to provide technology for shipbuilding to India, according to Mr Kazumasa Kuboki, Director General of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Bangalore.

Mr Kuboki was replying to a memorandum submitted by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) requesting the Japanese companies to participate in shipbuilding activities in the region, at an interactive session here on Wednesday evening.

Mr Kuboki said that some Japanese companies were eager to provide technology for shipbuilding. As a shipbuilding country, Japan is enjoying a good business now. Japan is competing with Korea and China in the market.

Reducing cost

With the appreciation of Korean currency, the Korean competitiveness has now become equal to Japan. Japan is also trying to reduce the cost of shipbuilding, he said.

Stating that Japanese shipbuilders are looking for partners who can supply components, he said they (Japanese shipbuilders) visit Vietnam, Taiwan and Korea to get raw materials. "If India is in a strong position to supply engineering goods, you can supply the components to Japanese shipbuilding industry," Mr Kuboki said.

Earlier, Capt J.P. Menezes, President of KCCI, said that there is ample scope for participation and transfer of knowledge and technology in the sector. Stating that a lot of manufacturing and industrial units will come up at the proposed Mangalore SEZ project, Capt Menezes said that Japanese companies could look forward for participating in turnkey projects in the SEZ.

Mr Kuboki said that the New Mangalore Port has been playing an important role in the development of the region.