In order to add fresh impetus to their friendly relationship, India and Japan are likely to strengthen their cooperation in the shipping sector.
New Delhi, Nov 7/Nationalturk – India and Japan, which have close ties, are likely to strengthen their cooperation in the shipping sector, which would increase further cement business ties between the two countries.
“Indian Minister of Shipping G K Vasan, who is heading a high level delegation, arrived on a five-day visit to Japan today. He visited the country on the invitation of Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Akihiro Ohta,” an Indian official spokesman said.
He said the Indian delegation will have discussions with the Japanese government for better coordination between two countries. “They will also talk to further enable Japanese companies to utilize facilities at Indian ports, especially of Ennore and Chennai ports in South India”.
Indian shipping minister will seek funds from Japan
The spokesman said Indian shipping minister will also hold discussions with Japenese government to seek funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the outer harbour project of VOC port, Thuthikoodi.
“Japanese government had earlier shown interest in developing Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor in India as part of Penninsular Region Industrial Development Corridor (PRIDC) of India. Ennore port has been identified as one of the main logistic hub in this industrial corridor development. JICA has already commenced a study for the purpose,” he said.
He said besides holding interaction with Japanese government officials, political leaders and business leaders, Indian delegation would visit the port of Yokohama and port of Nagoya to see the port operations and the latest technologies being utilized in these two ports.
India to utilize Japan’s expertise in port operations
The spokesman said Japan’s expertise in port operations, ship recycling and shipbuilding are expected to be utilized by the Indian ports and shipyards in future.
“Japanese automobile manufacturing companies like Toyota, Mitsubushi, Isuzu, Nissan and Toshiba have been using Chennai port in South India for importing automobile components through containers for their factories located in Chennai. The Japanese Company M/s Metal One (Mitshubishi group) is importing steel coils used for automobile through Chennai port in the break bulk form. Around 240 Japanese companies have developed businesses in and around Chennai in the last decade,” he said.
The spokesman further said that various Japanese Companies have shown keen interest in enhancing their use of Ennore Port. “At present, Nissan Motors India and Toyota are the major Japanese Companies using the Ennore Port facilities for their export. M/s Nissan Motors has exported about 0.3 million cars from Ennore Port. Toyota has so far exported 42,000 cars from the port,” he added.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
