Japan and Singapore evince keen interest in Bengal industry: Nirupam

Kolkata, Oct 27 (UNI) West Bengal Industries Minister's recent visit to Japan and Singapore has brightened the prospect of attracting huge additional Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) from these countries to the state in various sectors like infrastructure, petro-chemicals and automobile.

Speaking to mediapersons here tonight on his return from a week long visit to Japan and Singapore from October 15, West Bengal Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen said during his five day stay in Japan, he had met Mr Katsuhito ASANO, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mitoji YABUNAKA, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Masakazu TOYODA, Director General,Trade Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and discussed with them the prospect of more Japanese companies setting up manufacturing projects in West Bengal and their greater participation in different infrastructural projects including in ports, airports, highways and railways.

"The Japananese government has made it clear that they are willing to assist in various infrastructural projects through their Overseas Development Assistance programmes," Mr Sen said.

Mr Sen was accompanied in the tour by state Industries Pricipal Secretary Sabyasachi Sen and Managing Director of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation(WBIDC) Debashis Som.

Explaing the prospect of future development of infrastructure, growth of automobiles components, petrochemicals, electronics and electrical equipment industries, Mr Sen said the State Government was also planning to set up a dedicated industrial park of Japanese SMEs.

The prospect of Japanese participation in the proposed East-West Metro Corridor and Mass Rapid Transit System for Kolkata were also discussed during his meetings with various agencies under the Government of Japan namely the JBIC, JETRO and JICA, the minister informed.

Detailing his interaction with Japanese private sector industries, Mr Sen said he had met senior members of Japan-India Business Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo, Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Osaka Chamber of Commerce.

"We also had separate and fruitful meetings with officials from Honda Motor Company, Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation, Itochu Corporation and Toyota Motors", Mr Sen said but did not elaborate.

Mr Sen also visited the world renowned auto components factory of DENSO Corporation and the factory of Toyota Motor Corporation at Nagoya and travelled on the City Rail Transport System run by AICHI Corporation Limited.

On his way back home the delegation visited Singapore for two days and met several senior representatives of the Government including Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister and former Prime Minister and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,Minister for Community Development,Youth and Sports.

During his stay, Mr Sen also visited the world famous Changi Airport International and went around the Desalination Plant of Hyflux, which provided drinking water to the Singapore Water services after desalination of sea water.

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