Haryana invites Japanese businessmen to set up cold chains

Chandigarh, Apr 3 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today invited Japanese entrepreneurs to set up cold chains and urged them to bring in new technology for food preservation and processing.

The invitation was given to a Japanese delegation led by Mr Yoshio Yatsu, who is also Member of the House of Representatives and was accompanied by Mr Ryoichi Horic, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in India and Mr Tomofumi Inoue, First Secretary when they called on the Chief Minister in New Delhi today.

On his part Mr Yatsu identified mustard oil as a potential commodity for Indo-Japan trade and assured that he would take up the Chief Ministers suggestions with the relevant trade body in Japan.

Mr Yatsu expressed keen interest in further exploring the areas of food processing and preservation of food. He was responding to the assertion made by Mr Hooda that food processing had been identified as a thrust area in the Industrial Policy of the state government.

While reaffirming the interest of Japanese investors in India, especially in Haryana, Mr Yatsu expressed the interest of Japanese investors in food processing industry and auto components.

The Chief Minister informed the Japanese delegation that although Haryana was the second largest contributor of foodgrains to the Central Pool. As a part of its strategy for crop diversification and involving farmers in adding value to agricultural produce, the state government was now laying stress on production of vegetables, oilseeds, medicinal plants and horticulture.

While adding that there was tremendous scope for Japan to source some of these products from the state, Mr Hooda especially mentioned ladyfinger (Okara), brinjle (egg plant), pumpkin and mushrooms.

Mr Hooda apprised the delegation that Haryana accounted for about 70 per cent of the Japanese investment in India.

He said that while many auto component manufacturers had decided to set up their ventures in Haryana, there were many others with whom discussions were going on. He also appreciated the role of the Embassy of Japan in India, which had been supporting Haryana's efforts in providing the Japanese investors a conducive and friendly investment climate in the state.

The Haryana Resident Commissioner, Mr Ashok Lavasa, who is also Chief Coordinator, Investment Promotion Centre in Delhi,who was also present said that a Japanese delegation comprising members of legislature from different provinces of Japan and representatives of local bodies, and small and medium enterprises would interact with representatives of the Government of Haryana about the economic situation and investment environment of the State on April 14.

The other Japanese delegation would comprise representatives of Japanese companies in Malaysia and they would interact with the senior officers of the state government on April 20.

UNI HS RA VC1815