Japan aligns policies to enhance business in S. Asia
The strategic alignment of the economic policies of Japan,
spearheaded by Premier Shinzo Abe has caused a gradual shift in business
interests, resulting in Japanese companies relocating their investments
from China to South Asian countries.
To support these new developments, the Overseas Human Resources and
Industry Development Association (HIDA) - Japan, which promotes Japanese
business interests globally, launched a new Regional Hub Office in New
Delhi, India to foster business partnerships with Japanese investors and
HIDA's alumni network in South Asia.
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JASTECA, President Athula Edirisinghe
presents a memento to HIDA – Japan, President Kazao Kaneko
to commemorate the opening of the new Regional Office of
HIDA in New Delhi. Japanese Ambassador for India, Takeshi
Yagi and State Minster of Trade and Commerce, India, Dr.
E.M.S. Natchiappan look on. |
HIDA - Japan, President Kazuo Kaneko said Japanese companies are
enthusiastic about investing in South Asia.
Professor Tsuneo Yahagi who spoke on 'Japanese Investment and
Management Today and Tomorrow', said that new opportunities and growth
strategy would stimulate the economy of Japan. HIDA is the parent
organisation of the Japan-Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association
(JASTECA), which is an alumni association of scholarship holders from
Sri Lanka, and trained by HIDA - Japan. During its three-decade long
history, JASTECA with HIDA has trained over 3,500 entrepreneurs, CEOs,
managers and top executives of public and private sector companies in
Sri Lanka in various disciplines relating to business.
The initiative by HIDA will open business opportunities since
Japanese investors and commercial enterprises will prospect for new
investments and trade expansion in South Asian countries such as Sri
Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
This new regional office will play a pivotal role in business and
investor match making, through HIDA's alumni offices in South Asian
countries such as JASTECA and will also open more opportunities for
training and development for entrepreneurs, business managers and
engineers and for members of its alumni societies.
HIDA Research Institute (HRI) launched a new business development
initiative 'Japan Business Platform' to help companies and HIDA alumni
members to encounter various challenges such as finding Japanese
business partners, mitigating cultural differences and language
barriers, gathering information, employing and training personnel and
localising management.
Several technically advanced Japanese SMEs, which use the latest
technology and machinery find it challenging to conduct business
operations in Japan due to high labour costs.
The SMEs, while supplying to large-scale Japanese manufacturers, also
cater to other industrialised countries where Japanese companies operate
such as Thailand, Indonesia, China and Malaysia. Information and data of
such companies prospecting for new Asian partners will soon be made
available in HIDA's Global Interface - Japan Platform.
Japanese process engineering companies and component and mould makers
are interested in venturing into South Asia to cater to the fast growing
demand in the automobile industry in India, Thailand and Malaysia.
The Indo-Lanka FTA is an ideal launching pad for companies planning
to penetrate the Indian market.
The JASTECA-HIDA collaboration will eliminate cultural barriers and
language difficulties when supporting initial business negotiations.
Video conferencing facilities will be used when communicating with
potential Japanese investors and they will be encouraged to set up joint
ventures in Sri Lanka. |