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The striking similarities between Japan and Kerala on the theme of industry focus will help promote Japanese investments here.
This is well reflected in the common interest on the small and medium sector, says Mr Masanori Nakano, Consul-General, Japan, in Chennai.
SME BACKBONE
He said this while addressing a business meet organised here by the Japanese Cultural and Information Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Alumni Society of the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship Thiruvananthapuram sub-centre was a joint organiser.
Mr Nakona said that SMEs are the backbone of the Japanese industry. They have the potential for income and employment generation.
The recent high-level meetings held between the two nations have given a boost to the Indo-Japanese ties. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is set to visit Japan this year.
The Kerala Government has been giving due encouragement for promoting investments in the State.
The Vallarpadam international container transhipment terminal, the proposed Vizhinjam port, Kochi metro rail project and the Kannur airport are some such.
TOUGH COMPETITION
The States have been vying with each other to attract foreign investment. Kerala should also try to make the most of the emerging situation, Mr Nakano said.
According to the Industries Minister, Mr P.K. Kunhalikutty, attempts for bringing in Japanese technology and investments have been made from much early in the past. All of them have not been successful. The present government led by Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, is leading a fresh drive in this regard.
Mr Kunhalikkutty sought the active presence of Japanese entrepreneurs in the ‘Emerging Kerala’ industrial investment meet planned here later this year.
Mr T. Balakrishnan, Managing Director, Inkel, said in his presidential address that the State offered a perfect environment for Japanese investments to thrive.
Japan could look at shifting its R&D base to Kerala and make it an export hub, he added.
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