Odisha and Japan's Tottori sign agreements to boost cooperation
The partnership aims to strengthen ties in investment, entrepreneurship, skill development, tourism, and overseas employment for Odisha's youth.
The Odisha government signed a Friendship Agreement with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation in industry, investment, entrepreneurship, skill development, tourism, and culture, according to The New Indian Express.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai signed the agreement at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of an 80-member Japanese delegation.
Two additional memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed to promote startup collaboration and human resource development. One MoU between Startup Odisha and the Director of Industries, Tottori, focuses on business matchmaking and investor connections, while another involving the World Skill Center, Tottori Prefecture, and Nihon Edutech targets vocational training and Japanese-language instruction to facilitate employment in Japan.
Chief Minister Majhi invited Japanese business groups to explore investment opportunities in Odisha’s MSME, startups, and industrial clusters. He noted that companies such as Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Krosaki, TYK, Yokohama, IHI, and Toray are already present in the state.
Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the partnership would create international employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha. MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik added that the agreement would open avenues for technology collaboration and market access for small businesses.
The partnership also includes exchanges involving students, youth, and businesses, alongside the promotion of local products and tourist destinations.