Japanese Mie prefecture governor to visit Karnataka to sign MoU

Eikei Suzuki, governor of the Mie Prefecture in Japan, will visit Karnataka for a two-day trip this month to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government, reveals sources from the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro).

Suzuki will be accompanied by a 30-member delegation from 20 different companies and the visit is scheduled between for September 9 and 10.

“Mie Prefecture is the first prefecture in Japan to explore business opportunities in Karnataka. They are looking for enhanced cooperation and signing a MoUs in the automotive, electricals, aerospace and food processing sectors,” said  Director -- Research for Jetro Bangalore Deepak Anand.

Mie Prefecture, a part of the Kansai region on the main Honshu island in Japan, with 65 per cent forest cover and over 1,000 km of coastline, is mainly associated with forestry and seafood industries. The capital city of the Prefecture is Tsu. Suzuki studied at the University of Tokyo and began his career serving Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Suzuki was elected governor of Mie Prefecture in April 2011, becoming Japan’s youngest governor.

Besides  traditional handicrafts such as Iga Braid, Yokkaichi Banko Pottery, Suzuka Ink, Iga Pottery and Ise Katagami, Mie Prefecture produces tea, beef, cultured pearls and fruit, mainly mandarin oranges. Azuma Foods is a major food processing company from the prefecture.

Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, government of Karnataka, M Maheshwar Rao, he said the entire schedule of the governor’s visit is prepared and they are awaiting clearance from government of India.

“With Modi’s Japan visit concluding on Wednesday with the promise of $35-billion assistance to India for the next five years, the new initiatives from Karnataka government will also find benefits,” said Rao.