Sunday 29 July 2012

Top Japan firms eyeing Gujarat: Government

Apart from Suzuki Corporation Ltd - which is setting up its India car manufacturing unit in North Gujarat - at least half-a-dozen top Japanese companies have shown interest in investing in the state, an official has said.

On Friday, members of the delegation that accompanied chief minister Narendra Modi on his four-day visit to Japan interacted with the media. Principal secretary Maheshwar Sahu, who led the delegation, said that companies eyeing Gujarat included IHI, a heavy engineering firm; Mizuho, a value-added financial services player; and Mitsubishi, which manufactures cars and electrical equipment. Other interested companies are Hitachi, which makes a wide range of products from home appliances to electronic devices; and Etochu, a machinery, aerospace, and electronics major. These companies will participate in the Vibrant Gujarat summit in January 2013, Sahu said.

"The Japanese are particularly interested in building their first industrial township about 15 km from the Maruti-Suzuki plant site near Bhechraji temple, instead of the site proposed earlier in the Dholera Special Investment Region," Sahu said.

 
The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation plans to acquire 600 hectares of land between Mandal and Bhechraji, on which Japanese industries will set up shop.

Asked why Modi could not meet the Japanese prime minister, Sahu said, "The Japanese PM was busy. A parliament session was on. He is facing opposition within his party." He added, "The Japanese deputy prime minister met Modi. That is almost equal to the PM's post."

As for the outcome of Modi's previous visits to foreign countries, Sahu said, "We will put out a white paper on this."

Sudhir Mehta, chairman of Torrent group who was a part of the delegation, said: "Investment for projects comes over a considerable period of time." Another delegate, Parimal Nathwani, group president of Reliance Industries, said: "There was a difference in the approach of the Japanese this time. While previously they were at an exploratory stage, they now wanted to know where to invest and how."

Opposing voices

Members of Congress party's kisan cell and Bhartiya Kisan Sangh interrupted the press briefing. A group of 30 to 35 members with placards started shouting anti-government slogans. "Farmers in the state are not getting water and electricity and the government is trying to project a glossy picture in Japan," said Dashrath Patel, president Gujarat Congress's kisan cell. The protesters had gained entry into the conference room posing as journalists.

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