Chennai: “Japan is supporting Tamilnadu Investment Promotion Programme by improving Ennore Port access road and developing an electrical substation in One Hub,” said Japanese Ambassador Hiramatsu at Global Investors Meet 2019 at Chennai Trade Centre today.

Japan participated as a partner country for the second time in a row. More than 100 Japanese business people from 45 companies made their presence felt at the investment event.

“Tamilnadu is the sixth largest State of India by population, but its economy is the second largest. Historically, commercial engagement between Japan and Tamilnadu started with cotton. In 1889, governmental envoys from Japan visited the State to learn about the cotton industries here. Since then, our economic ties have expanded and deepened considerably,” he added.

Explaining about the value addition by Japanese companies, he said, “Currently, out of 1,441 Japanese companies operating in India, 201 are present in Tamilnadu. What is more, they are diversifying from automobile sector to food processing and service sectors. And small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are coming into the State as well. Tamilnadu has three industrial townships developed by Japanese companies, namely One Hub Chennai, SOJITZ MOTHERSON, and Sumitomo-Mahindra Industrial Park. Already five companies are operating in One Hub Chennai and new companies are going to operate in the other two townships this year.”

Explaining about the strengths of Indian workforce, he said, “Yamaha Motors India established the Yamaha Motor NTTF Training Centre (YNTC), the first Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) in Chennai, in July 2017. They are teaching practical skills and disciplines in Japanese-style manufacturing to young people. Furthermore, 15 youths from Tamilnadu have been receiving technical training in factories in Japan since last year, under the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP). Another 12 youths will visit Japan this year. Trainees from Tamilnadu are known for their hard work and diligence. I am sure they will pioneer Japanese-style skills in Tamilnadu in coming years.”