Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100754600500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

15-member team to visit Japan

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IJCCI) president, R. Veeramani, is leading a 15-member industrial delegation to Japan from October 14 to 21 to explore investment opportunity for small and medium enterprises and to invite Japanese firms to invest in India.

During their week-long stay, the delegates comprising of industrialists and businessmen of small and medium enterprises of various sectors will call on the Parliamentary vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nobuhida Minorikawa, deliberate with Fukuoka Mayor, Indian Consul-General for Osaka-Kobe and key officials of economic and commerce department.

They will also interact with representatives of seven chambers of commerce and industry and visit five factories to gain working knowledge.

Talking to newsmen on Monday, Mr. Veeramani said this was the second time that IJCCI was leading a delegation to various parts of the country that included Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama and Fukuoka. The trip was meant to boost bilateral trade between the two countries and to seek fresh investment into Tamil Nadu.

Japanese Counsel-General in Chennai for Southern States, Kazuo Minagawa said the number of Japanese firms in the State had risen from 200 to 300 after his arrival and it was bound to increase with the arrival of Nissan that is setting up two big firms by joining hands with Renault and Ashok Leyland.