Guwahati, Feb 6: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged Japanese industries to forge deeper ties tap and unlock vast opportunities for mutual growth.
“This is the time to forge deeper ties and unlock vast opportunities for mutual growth,” he said at the fifth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave, aptly named ‘Kizuna’, meaning “bond” in Japanese.
Organized by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of External Affairs, the two-day cconclave which started on February 6 in Guwahati aims to co-create ecosystems of change in technology, education, and innovation.
Dr. Sarma highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between India and Japan dating back to 552 CE when Buddhism first traveled to Japan, fostering ideals of wisdom and compassion. Fast forward to today, Japan stands as a pivotal trade partner for India, with bilateral trade reaching $22.9 billion in 2023 and over 1,500 Japanese companies operating in the country.
Dr. Sarma, fresh from a recent visit to Japan, shared insights into fruitful engagements with Japanese ministers, business leaders, and universities. “Assam holds untapped potential in sectors like green energy, tourism, and renewable technology,”he said.
The Chief Minister also spotlighted Assam’s unique locational advantage and ongoing projects, including a semiconductor assembly plant at Jagiroad. He urged Japanese industries to tap into this burgeoning opportunity, envisioning an ecosystem for semiconductor design and services.
Acknowledging the importance of people-to-people connections, Dr. Sarma proposed enhanced collaborations between Assam and Japan’s tourism operators and startups. However, he stressed the need for a robust infrastructure to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Japan in engaging with Assam and the North East.
In a gesture to cement future partnerships, Dr. Sarma extended a warm invitation to Japanese investors and industry leaders for the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The conclave was attended by distinguished guests, including Ambassador of Japan to India ONO Keiichi, Secretary East MEA Joydeep Majumdar, and key policymakers.
