Japanese companies are evincing interest in investing in infrastructure projects apart from manufacturing. The joint steering committee consisting of the government of Tamil Nadu and METI, Japan, has identified a number of infrastructure projects for co-operation. These includes promotion of new industrial parks and Japanese industrial townships.
“To attract more Japanese companies, particularly medium sized companies, the government of Tamil Nadu has proposed to establish a Japanese Industrial cluster near Chennai,” said the chief minister.
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance & Export Promotion Bureau (Guidance Bureau) signed an MoU to facilitate Japanese investments in Tamil Nadu.
The MoU was signed by Toshio Nakamura, president, JCCI, on behalf of JCCI and M Velmurugan, executive vice chairman, Guidance Bureau, and was exchanged in the presence of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa.
The energy sector is yet another potential area, particularly in renewable energy. One of the infrastructure initiatives proposed by METI, Japan, is the promotion of a Fuel Corridor concept that includes power projects and off-shore coal & LNG handling.
“We are currently planning to establish a petroleum, chemicals & petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR) between Cuddalore and Nagapattinam. We invite Japanese companies to invest in this PCPIR,” Jayalalithaa said.
The government of Tamil Nadu has proposed a Chennai-Bangalore corridor of excellence. METI has shown interest in this project.
“We are aware of the infrastructure problems, particularly, the connectivity bottlenecks to Ennore Port currently faced by Toshiba and Nissan. On this occasion, I want to assure you that my government is taking efforts to solve these Ennore Port connectivity related issues to the satisfaction of Japanese investors,” said the chief minister.
