 "Japanese Emperor, Her Majesty arrive in Chennai")
The Majesty Emperor Akihito and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan today arrived at Chennai on a two days visit. The Royal family checked in at Taj Coromandel on Wednesday afternoon and visited Kalakshetra Foundation, for an evening of classical performance.
This is the first trip to India after they were crowned in 1990 and Tamil Nadu, which is considered to be the key partner for Japan in trade and investment and houses a large number of Japanese companies, has all the reasons to host the royal family.
On Thursday, the Emperor and the Empress will meet Tamil Nadu's Governor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and are expected to tour Guindy National Park. The couple is also expected to spend time with a group of school children at the Park.
Data from the Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry show that 40% of all Japanese investment into India found its way into Tamil Nadu, most of it is in and around Chennai. Of the 120 members of the chamber that collectively invested Rs 20,350 crore in India, as much as Rs 8,320 crore went to Tamil Nadu.
Four years ago, there were 77 Japanese projects in Tamil Nadu and as of October 2012 it was 344, the increase was almost 347%. The All India growth (increase of Japanese projects) was only 125% to around 1804 during the same time.
Some of the major projects in Tamil Nadu includes Rs 4,500 crore car manufacturing facility set up Japanese automajor Nissan along with Renault, Komatsu in earth moving equipment and Hitachi for turbines to Fujitec and Mitsubishi in elevators, the Japanese have invested across the spectrum.
A Rs 3,500 crore an integrated township, which in turn will bring Rs 15,000 crore investment, to be developed along with Japan consortium and Ready Built Factories (RBFs) are being built in Sri City SEZ to reduce the capital investment.
According to the State Government data projects worth over Rs 16,500 crore supported by Japan are being under implementation and Japan has also showed its willingness to support one of the land mark projects which is Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC).
Earlier this month, Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) has signed an agreement with Government of India providing loan up to 13 Billion Yen (around Rs 829 crore) for the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Program.
The objective of the Promotion Programme is to support policy implementation to improve investment climate in Tamil Nadu, thereby easing business hurdles for foreign investors. This is the first ever program loan (policy based lending) provided by JICA to India.
A royal welcome
Taj Coromandel in the recent past has played host to various personalities and Heads of State, from across the globe. President Jimmy Carter, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, President Bill Clinton, His Excellency Festus Gontebanye Mogae, iconic Actor Jackie Chan, His Excellency Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
On her recent visit, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton resided in the ‘Royal Suite’ which was inaugurated to welcome Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to Chennai in the 90s.
This is the first trip to India after they were crowned in 1990 and Tamil Nadu, which is considered to be the key partner for Japan in trade and investment and houses a large number of Japanese companies, has all the reasons to host the royal family.
On Thursday, the Emperor and the Empress will meet Tamil Nadu's Governor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and are expected to tour Guindy National Park. The couple is also expected to spend time with a group of school children at the Park.
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Tamil Nadu is a key parter for Japan. There are over 400 Japanese companies invested in Tamil Nadu and in 2012 alone 60 companies came to Chennai and the trend is likely to continue, says representative from the Japanese Government.
Data from the Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry show that 40% of all Japanese investment into India found its way into Tamil Nadu, most of it is in and around Chennai. Of the 120 members of the chamber that collectively invested Rs 20,350 crore in India, as much as Rs 8,320 crore went to Tamil Nadu.
Four years ago, there were 77 Japanese projects in Tamil Nadu and as of October 2012 it was 344, the increase was almost 347%. The All India growth (increase of Japanese projects) was only 125% to around 1804 during the same time.
Some of the major projects in Tamil Nadu includes Rs 4,500 crore car manufacturing facility set up Japanese automajor Nissan along with Renault, Komatsu in earth moving equipment and Hitachi for turbines to Fujitec and Mitsubishi in elevators, the Japanese have invested across the spectrum.
A Rs 3,500 crore an integrated township, which in turn will bring Rs 15,000 crore investment, to be developed along with Japan consortium and Ready Built Factories (RBFs) are being built in Sri City SEZ to reduce the capital investment.
According to the State Government data projects worth over Rs 16,500 crore supported by Japan are being under implementation and Japan has also showed its willingness to support one of the land mark projects which is Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC).
Earlier this month, Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) has signed an agreement with Government of India providing loan up to 13 Billion Yen (around Rs 829 crore) for the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Program.
The objective of the Promotion Programme is to support policy implementation to improve investment climate in Tamil Nadu, thereby easing business hurdles for foreign investors. This is the first ever program loan (policy based lending) provided by JICA to India.
A royal welcome
Taj Coromandel in the recent past has played host to various personalities and Heads of State, from across the globe. President Jimmy Carter, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, President Bill Clinton, His Excellency Festus Gontebanye Mogae, iconic Actor Jackie Chan, His Excellency Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
On her recent visit, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton resided in the ‘Royal Suite’ which was inaugurated to welcome Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to Chennai in the 90s.