Thiruvananthapuram: The striking similarities between Japan and Kerala on the theme of focus for industry will help promote Japanese investments here.
There is a shared liking for the small and medium sector, says Mr Masanori Nakano, Consul-General of Japan in Chennai.
SME Backbone
He said this while addressing a business meet organised here by the Japanese Cultural and Information Centre. The sub-centre of the Alumni Society of the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship based here was a joint organiser.
Mr Nakano said that SMEs were the backbone of the Japanese industry. They have the potential for income and employment generation.
The recent high-level meetings held between the two nations have given a boost to the Indo-Japanese ties. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is set to visit Japan later this year.
Promoting Industry
Mr Nakano was of the view that the State government has been giving due encouragement for promoting investments locally. He cited examples of the Vallarpadam international container transhipment terminal, the proposed Vizhinjam port, Kochi metro rail project and the Kannur airport.
The States have been vying with one another to attract foreign investment. Kerala should also try to make most of the emerging situation, Mr Nakano said.
According to Industries Minister Mr P. K. Kunhalikutty, attempts for bringing in Japanese technology and investments have been made in the past.
But not all of them have been successful. The present government led by Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy is leading a fresh drive.
'Emerging Kerala'
Mr Kunhalikkutty sought the active presence of Japanese entrepreneurs in the ‘Emerging Kerala' industrial investment meet planned here later this year.
Mr T. Balakrishnan, managing director, Inkel, said in his presidential address that the State offered a perfect environment for Japanese investments to thrive.
Japan could look at shifting its R&D base to Kerala and make it an export hub, he added.
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