Amarinder Singh meets Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu; seeks co-operation in renewable energy, agriculture, skill development

New Delhi: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Monday met Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu and sought cooperation in various sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, skill development as well as promotion of investment in the state. [caption id=“attachment_3730813” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Amarinder Singh. AFP[/caption] The chief minister told the ambassador that Punjab provided an ideal platform for Japan for expanding and augmenting its industrial presence. Leading a high-level delegation, Singh pointed out that Punjab had deep footprint and ages of connection with the Japanese companies. He said the state’s new ‘Industrial and Business Development Policy 2017’ had paved the way for further strengthening this connection. The chief minister said the policy was in line with his government’s commitment to the people of Punjab to revive the industry and re-establish the pristine glory of the state, a statement said. Singh pointed out that the implementation of special power tariff at Rs 5 per unit for five years with upgradation in distribution infrastructure, which were among the key features of the policy, would further ease business in Punjab. It had already been identified as leaders in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the country by the World Bank and Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP). He apprised the ambassador of his government’s plans to set up an Industrial and Business Development Authority, where all industrial estates currently maintained and managed by different agencies, would be brought under one agency. This, he said, would ensure effective and uniform maintenance and management policies across the State. The government was also planning to set up four new industrial parks and 12 new industrial estates in Punjab, besides a Skills University, coupled with industry-specific skill development centres, the chief minister further informed the ambassador. The skill training schemes, he said, would be brought under one agency, namely the Punjab Skill Development Mission, he added. The chief minister said his government would take up the issue of setting up of Japan India Institute of Manufacturing (JIM) in the next phase with the central government.