Japan eyes culture-trade fusion with Gujarat

Japan's relationship with Gujarat is set to go beyond economic collaboration and business deals. The consul general of Japan in India, Yoshiaki Ito, believes that beside business, the relationship is about cultural exchange."As far as business is concerned, all countries are interested in Gujarat. We are not only looking at business but also cultural and personal exchange," said the consul general, ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit.

To further strengthen ties with Gujarat, Ito will inaugurate the Japan Information and Study Centre at Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) on Saturday . The centre is an attempt to cement the Indo-Japanese relationship.

"The centre is a small and good beginning but we want to build on this," he added. While Japan and Gujarat have been working closely on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, the number of Japanese companies investing in the state has steadily gone up. "The number of Japanese nationals working in Ahmedabad has increased from 5 to 50 now. It may reach 100 by year-end," said Mukesh Patel, president of Indo-Japanese Friendship Association of Gujarat.

Gujarat government, too, is taking steps to promote Buddhist sites among tourists and scholars. The state is already a hub of Japanese companies with Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars India and Honda Motorcycles and Scooters setting up plants near Ahmedabad. Japan is looking to participate in the Ahmedabad Metro project too.

"DMIC is a game changer for the Indian economy , especially that of Gujarat, and it offers big business opportunities for Japanese companies," the consul general said.

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