Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

30-April-2012 18:18 IST

Joint Press Release by H.E. Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, India and H.E. Yukio Edano Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan at the 2nd India-Japan Ministerial Business-Government Policy Dialogue

The 2nd India-Japan Ministerial Business-Government Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi, India on 30th April 2012 and was co-chaired by H.E. Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles of India and H.E. Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. The Policy Dialogue was attended by senior government officials and leaders of business organizations from both the countries. The dialogue discussed issues for moving forward on investments and sustainable development with a thrust on innovation and introduction of cutting edge technology in manufacturing and infrastructure development in the country.

1.  Based on the leaders’ summit last year, H.E. Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and H.E. Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan acknowledged the progress of discussion on the equity participation in DMIC Development Corporation to the extent of 26% subject to the approval of the Government of India.  Minister Sharma confirmed that the GOI will initiate required procedures for necessary approvals. The two Ministers welcomed the cooperation of the government and private sectors of the two countries to realize the vision of DMIC.

2.  In this context, the two Ministers shared the importance of the relaxation of capital regulations in the course of implementation of the DMIC project.  Further, the two Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the progress made in the seawater desalination project at Dahej, Gujarat. Both Ministers also shared the importance of implementing NEDO’s demonstration of the technologies for stable power supply based on a combined use of large-scale photovoltaic power generation and micro-grid in Neemrana Industrial Park in Rajasthan. The two Ministers set up Smart Community Working Group under Indo – Japan Task Force on DMIC to accelerate the implementation of the smart community projects.  They also recognized to need to promote smart community pilot projects and the early bird projects for demonstration of the cutting-edge technologies. In addition to these projects, both Ministers welcomed the formulation of a list of projects by JICA to be jointly developed by both countries by the next leaders’ summit scheduled in this fall.

3. The two Ministers confirmed the importance of cooperating in infrastructure　development in the areas along the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor including the preparation of a Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan of this region which was decided between the two Prime Ministers in December 2011. The two Ministers shared the views on the importance of further promoting investments and supporting industries in the region through improving infrastructure such as ports, industrial parks and their surrounding facilities in Ennore, Chennai and the adjoining areas and stable power supply.

4.  The two Ministers welcomed the measures taken by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) for assisting Japanese companies in investing in India. These include establishment of a Business Support Center in Chennai and support for Japanese companies to start business activities in special industrial parks for Japanese companies engaged in manufacturing in Neemrana in the state of Rajasthan and in the state of Gujarat.

5. H.E. Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan appreciated the efforts of the Government of India in formulating the “National Manufacturing Policy” in the context of the comprehensive and inclusive development of Indian economy, creation and development of innovation ecosystems, introduction of cutting edge technology, creation of employment opportunities and improvement of infrastructure in India. Minister Edano proposed to set up working group, in cooperation with JETRO, to discuss cooperation in implementation of the National Manufacturing Policy and the establishment of National Investment and Manufacturing Zone with a thrust on skill development.

6. The two Ministers confirmed that both countries would hold discussions to facilitate investment and to address various issues raised in this policy dialogue by the annual Summit meeting to be scheduled this year, by utilizing forums such as DMIC Task Force at the vice ministerial level, the Working Group between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Industry of Tamil Nadu, and Smart Community Working Group.

7.  The two Ministers confirmed that the 3rd Ministerial India-Japan Ministerial Business-Government Policy Dialogue would be held in Tokyo on a date mutually convenient to both sides.

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DS/GK

Investment cooperation in DMIC confirmed, including equity participation and regulatory facilitation to accelerate joint infrastructure projects. Acknowledgement of advancing bilateral investment arrangements for the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor including agreed equity participation in the DMIC Development Corporation subject to governmental approval, with India committing to initiate required procedures. The Ministers emphasized facilitating investment by relaxing capital regulations and welcomed government and private sector cooperation. They prioritized infrastructure, technology and innovation projects-seawater desalination, photovoltaic plus micro-grid demonstrations, Smart Community pilots-and agreed working groups, integrated corridor master planning, JETRO support, and continued ministerial and vice-ministerial coordination for joint development ahead of the next leaders' summit.