Tuesday, Mar 18 2025 | Time 06:50 Hrs(IST)
Business Economy


Meghalaya initiates interventions to promote collaboration and partnership with Japan

Shillong, Feb 7 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said that the state has initiated interventions to promote collaboration and partnership with Japan, leveraging the strong bilateral relationship that India shares with Japan.
“We firmly believe in a strong partnership, trust, and relationship with Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken every step to ensure that the foundation laid between the two nations benefits both for economic prosperity,” Sangma said while addressing the 5th India-Japan Conclave held in Guwahati.
He noted that the vision of the Prime Minister Modi has inspired Meghalaya to take advantage of the strong bilateral ties with Japan.
“We are not a big state, but we have our own strengths and opportunities. We are focused on moving forward in our way. We will do a few things, but we will do them well,” the Chief Minister said.
Discussing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations by enhancing trade and investment flows, Sangma said that the state has opened opportunities for its youth to undergo training for employment in Japan.
He emphasised that the young population of Meghalaya is its strength. Starting with a few nurses who were recruited, the state has now opened vast opportunities with a target to train as many as 3,000 nurses in the coming years.
“When recruitment agencies wanted to hire nurses from Meghalaya, the youth were apprehensive, parents were worried about safety, and many were concerned about the fees involved for training in the Japanese language,” he said.
Moreover, he said that the state government is now providing financial support for the training and ensuring the safety of youth recruited by agencies to work in Japan’s healthcare sector.
“Initially, the youth did not trust the recruiting agencies as the training cost was high. The state government intervened and resolved the problem. We are now paying for the training as well as ensuring the safety of our youth,” he said.
“I personally went to Japan to drop off the first batch. Already, 50 nurses from the state are working in different parts of Japan, and 500 are currently learning Japanese. This number will swell to 3,000, and may even reach 5,000 in the next four to five years,” the Chief Minister added.
Sangma further informed that the state is exploring opportunities and collaborations in skills other than nursing to send its human resources to Japan.
“Meghalaya has a young population, with close to 45 percent of the population below the age of 19 years. This is our advantage, and we want to provide opportunities for our youth to explore avenues beyond the state and the country,” he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Meghalaya is also exploring opportunities in agriculture and has already partnered with a Japanese firm, Yats Corporation Company Ltd.
Meghalaya has procured machinery and equipment to promote Shiitake mushroom cultivation.
During his visit, the Chief Minister had a dialogue with Ono Keiichi, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
In the meeting, they discussed strengthening ties between India and Japan through Meghalaya and continuing cooperation to bridge the human resource gap in healthcare for Japan.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the Phulbari to Dhubri bridge as an example of how an economic corridor can be established by connecting it with existing roads in the Northeast and several roads bordering Bangladesh, thereby increasing the value of the investment.
He emphasised that the Northeast can unite as a region to explore its collective potential in international trade and commerce.
UNI RRK BD
More News

Total exports from India rise 6 24 pc to USD 750 53 billion

17 Mar 2025 | 10:42 PM

New Delhi, March 17 (UNI) India's cumulative exports (merchandise and services) during the April-February period of 2024-25 grew 6.24% year-on-year to USD 750.53 billion as compared to USD 706.43 billion in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, as per official data released on Monday.

see more..

Meghalaya to host 7th Act East Business show from March 25

17 Mar 2025 | 10:16 PM

Shillong, Mar 17 (UNI) Meghalaya is set to host the 7th Act East Business Show to foster stronger economic and trade relations between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

see more..

Chai Kings secures USD 3 mn Series-A Funding from AVT

17 Mar 2025 | 8:56 PM

Chennai, Mar 17 (UNI) Chai Kings, Tamil Nadu’s leading chai retail chain, has successfully raised USD three million (Rs 24 crore) in its Series-A funding round from A.V.Thomas and Co.(AVT), one
of India’s largest packaged tea players.

see more..

Indian Forging body hosts spl session on current Industry scenario

17 Mar 2025 | 8:51 PM

Chennai, Mar 17 (UNI) The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) hosted an insightful and interactive session titled "Current Industry Scenario, Innovative Technology and Upskilling" in the
city on Monday.

see more..

Tata Motors announces price hike for commercial vehicles from April 2025

17 Mar 2025 | 8:43 PM

Hyderabad, Mar 17 (UNI) Tata Motors Limited, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and part of the USD 165 billion Tata group, on Monday announced a price increase of up to 2 per cent, across its commercial vehicle range.

see more..