Naidu promises Japanese-Plus Cell for investors

Hyderabad, Nov 25 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has promised to start a "Japan-Plus Cell" for online clearance of investment proposals of Japanese firms. This will not only be a single-window clearance but also single-desk clearance policy, he said.

On the second day of his visit to Japan, the Chief Minister addressed meetings at Panasonic Corporation, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Indian IT Forum.

In his address at Panasonic Corporation, the Chief Minister said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to transform India and that we are partners in his efforts. India is a different country today.

Last 10 years were plagued by policy paralysis. Now, we are an investor-friendly country.' He added that India and Japan have cordial relations. This will prove fruitful for state as we have good leadership at Centre and State level.

The Chief Minister briefed them about the exceptional entrepreneurial skills of people in AP, abundance of natural resources and water and the advantage of 24x7 power supply.

After making a video presentation, Takeshi Uenoyama, Fellow at Panasonic Corporation, said that Panasonic can help in groundwater purification. 'We are looking forward for an invitation from you. We will also explore collaboration in skill development,' Uenoyama added.

Stating that Panasonic is a household name in India, the Chief Minister invited Panasonic to explore opportunities in Visakhapatnam.

At the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Masahi Hashimoto, chairman of International Business Committee of Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcome the AP delegation.

Hashimoto said Japanese companies are interested in India. 'After the new government and the introduction of new industrial promotion policy, we are keen on India.' He added that Andhra Pradesh is known to us as an 'IT state and a center for higher education.'

We are hopeful that AP will play a very important role in the growth of India, he said. 'I'm glad to welcome the leader and the delegation from such a state, Hashimoto said.

Addressing the Chief Minister, Hashimoto said that we (Japanese) believe that there should be good amount of information and clarification for companies from our region (to do business in India). 'We want to understand Andhra Pradesh and India. That's why we believe that this interaction is very important,' he added.

Later, Indian Ambassador to Japan Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa welcomed the Osaka business community and said 'you seem to have done good homework on Andhra Pradesh.' She added that Indian and Japan are very close now. 'We are in a strategic relationship, not only politically but also economically. PM Modi's visit to Japan underlines how important Japan is to India.'

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had announced that there will be 35 trillion Japanese Yen investment from both public and private sector in India, she said. Wadhwa added that 'in a short time, we have two leaders from India who are the faces of economic reforms ' Modi and Naidu.'

She stated that Andhra Pradesh is undoubtedly good investment destination for Japanese companies because a significant number of Japanese firms have a base in the state. 'Companies from Kansai region can start to make a database on AP industry'so that some collaboration will come to fruition.'

Following this, the Chief Minister said that India is a sleeping giant and that it has every kind of resource. 'I'm impressed with Japan's progress. Despite receiving huge blows due to natural calamities, nuclear explosions, etc., you have progressed to become an economic powerhouse,' the Chief Minister said.

Elaborating the advantages of AP for Japanese firms, the Chief Minister said that the state is poised to become the gateway of Southeast Asia and Asia because of our 1,000 km-long coastline.

'We can send manufactured goods to countries like Malaysia. Singapore, China, etc. We also aim to become logistics hub by developing 14 ports. Given that we have a strong agriculture base and plenty of water, 'I invite you to explore opportunities in the agri processing industry,' the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister added that the state wants to have a strong infrastructure base. 'We have good road network and are planning bullet trains.' Our state has excelled in IT sector. In US too, one out of every four Indians is from AP in the IT sector. He has asked Japanese investors to invest in India with an open mind and put their apprehensions to rest. On being asked about AP's industrial policy, the Chief Minister said that companies will get good incentives.

At the Indian IT Forum, the welcome address was given by Sriram. V, country manager, Infosys on behalf of India IT Forum. Speaking at the Forum, the Indian ambassador said 'I hope the business communities of the new state and Kyoto will bond together to the advantage of both.

Following address by Mayor of Kyoto Daisaku Kadokawa, the Chief Minister said that Japan is scouting for marketing and India is scouting for investments. 'This is a great opportunity for me to attract investments to AP. We want to replicate Tokyo and Kyoto models of development in Indian and AP.'

The Chief Minister said that the State has a strong relationship with the Centre and that the economy of the country is showing signs of growth after the new government at the helm. He assured them that AP has a massive land bank and can provide uninterrupted, quality power to industries.

'Even taxation procedures are being simplified by the Centre. This will prove beneficial to industries. Centre has already set up Japan-Plus desk, I too will have one at my office for faster clearances and approvals,' the CM added.