CM holds discussions with JETRO President Kataoka on Japan’s investment potential in MP
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav with JETRO President Susumu Kataoka during his visit to Japan.
Staff Reporter :
In a bid to strengthen the economic ties between Madhya Pradesh and Japan, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav held an in-depth meeting with Susumu Kataoka, the President of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and his delegation in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The discussions focused on unlocking new avenues for Japanese investment in the State and deepening bilateral co-operation across various sectors.
The Chief Minister highlighted that JETRO currently operates five offices across India in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad but notably lacks a presence in Madhya Pradesh. Dr Yadav proposed the establishment of a JETRO office in the State to facilitate more effective engagement between Japanese businesses and the Madhya Pradesh Government, fostering a deeper connection for investment.
“Madhya Pradesh offers an ideal environment for Japanese investors,” Dr Yadav stated, emphasising the State’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and industrial advantages.
He pointed out that the state lies in a low seismic zone, offering a stable and secure environment for investment.
The Chief Minister also discussed the State’s new policies aimed at attracting investments in various emerging sectors, including semi-conductors, animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC), extended reality (XR), and global captive centers (GCC). He stressed that Japanese companies have much to gain from these policies, as the State is already home to major IT players like TCS, Infosys, and LTI Mindtree, all of which have set up operations in Madhya Pradesh.
Dr Yadav also emphasised the State’s favorable conditions for automobile and auto component manufacturing. “Madhya Pradesh is ripe for large-scale investments in the automobile sector. If a major passenger car manufacturer sets up operations here, it would significantly strengthen the sector,” he noted. He expressed his hope that JETRO would play an instrumental role in facilitating such investments.
In a bid to further encourage Japanese companies to explore opportunities in Madhya Pradesh, Dr Yadav proposed the organisation of investment promotion programmes and seminars in collaboration with JETRO.
These events would provide Japanese businesses with critical information about the state’s investment policies, industrial sectors, and opportunities for collaboration.
The Chief Minister also appealed to JETRO to encourage the more than 1,400 Japanese companies operating in India to consider Madhya Pradesh as a prime destination for investment, particularly in high-growth sectors.
Susumu Kataoka, JETRO’s President, responded positively, acknowledging the potential of the upcoming ‘Global Investors Summit’ scheduled for February 24-25, in Bhopal. He emphasised that the summit would serve as a key platform for Japanese companies to learn about investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh, facilitating the establishment of new partnerships. JETRO, according to Kataoka, would actively work to invite as many Japanese companies as possible to this summit.
Kataoka also recognised Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to providing dedicated industrial parks, housing solutions for workers, customised financial packages, and streamlined approval processes for Japanese investors. “JETRO can assist the State in identifying specific financial assistance packages tailored to the needs of these units,” he stated, highlighting JETRO’s role in helping Japanese companies expand in India.
As part of the discussions, Dr Yadav extended an invitation to the JETRO delegation to attend the Global Investors Summit in Bhopal and explore the numerous investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, he invited the delegation to visit cultural and historical sites in the State, such as the iconic Sanchi Stupa, to better understand the rich cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh.
Both sides agreed to maintain continuous dialogue and work collaboratively to turn investment possibilities into concrete outcomes. JETRO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Madhya Pradesh government in promoting investment and business cooperation in the future.
With an optimistic outlook, the Chief Minister and JETRO President concluded their discussions, setting the stage for a prosperous partnership between Madhya Pradesh and Japanese businesses in the coming years.