Japanese SMEs can transfer technology toTamil Nadu: Ambassador

Chennai: A significant role for Japanese small and medium enterprises in transferring technology to India is what the the Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu hoped for. Addressing the "Country Seminar-Japan" in GIM-2019 on Thursday he said the SMEs in Japan had very good technology and this could be transferred and utilised in the country especially in Tamil Nadu.

India has more than 144 Japan-based companies of which 200 companies were located in Tamil Nadu. "I also see a lot of enthusiasm in the state government to invite Japanese companies. I see that many investors would be coming to make use of the facilities available in Tamil Nadu. I count on the state government to give incentives to companies enabling them to operate better. Already discussions have been going on with the state government", he said.

Economic relations between Tamil Nadu and Japan date back to the 19th century and cotton trade flourished then. In the modern days, automobile industries occupy a prominent place in the economic ties. "Now I see diversification of Japanese business, which may include food procession industries, IT sector, service sector, retail and textile and SMEs. The challenge is how to attract Japanese SMEs to India. The SMEs need incentives and other facilities for better operations," he said.

Tamil Nadu has lots of talented and well-educated youths. The State also has lots of heritage tourist centres and similarly Japan has a number of tourist destinations. Introduction of a direct flight from Chennai to Tokyo would give a fillip to the tourism sector.

Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), India, Katsuo Matsumoto said JICA offered 50 per cent of the total project cost for phase-1 of Chennai Metro Rail Limited and also made a commitment for the support of phase -2.

JICA also offered financial assistance for the Chennai Seawater Desalination Plant and Tamil Nadu Transmission System Improvement Project. JICA also provides soft loan to the State for projects including Tamil Urban Health Care Project, Improvement of Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Highways, Water and Power projects, improvement of Chennai Port Operation and Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project, he added.