Enhanced connectivity can unleash the growth potential of north-east India: Kenko SONE, Japan Embassy in India

NEW DELHI. Kenko SONE, minister of economics, Embassy of Japan in India has said that enhancing connectivity within the north-east as well as between the region and its neighbours can really unleash its growth.

While addressing the audience at the ASSOCHAM event on Thursday, SONE said that with the better movement of goods and people, north-east can advantageously place itself as the heart of a buzzing economy, that is why Japan has been focusing on the connectivity issues.”

He was speaking during the inaugural session of the seminar “India Japan-India Social, Economic, and Cultural Compatibility” with a special focus on ‘Relations between  North East India and Japan.

SONE also said that Japan takes pride in being a true partner of north-east for the advancement as it is the only country which has such a high-level official body dedicated to north-east.

“In addition, we are promoting people to people exchange, we would like the people of north-east to learn something useful in Japan and bring back the experiences to home,” he said.

SONE further said, “We are also now working to invite apprentice nurses of north-east to Japan as caregivers under Technical Internship Training Programme which would help contribute to better healthcare services in the region as well as India as a whole.”

Highlighting the importance of the private sector, he said, “While we are closely working with government both at centre and in states, we alone cannot tap all the potential of north-east as such the role of the private sector is also very crucial.”

In his address, Vincent H. Pala, Parliamentarian from Shillong Lok Sabha constituency said, “Industry associations must work together with government to upskill young people in the north-east to make them employable and improve region’s socio-economic well-being.”

“Youth of north-east needs upskilling, while people here are cultured and educated but unemployment is very high, I sincerely request the ASSOCHAM and also seek help of Japan to impart skill training to our youth especially in tourism and food processing sectors to utilise the vast potential of the region,” said Pala while making a strong pitch to India Inc. at a conference on ‘Japanese Investment in North-East Region of India.’

He added that it would help the youth of north-east which would not have to migrate to cities like New Delhi in search of employment opportunities.

Pala also said that Japan apart from infrastructure growth can also help with their technological advancement that can be used to promote the north-east region’s forest goods and agriculture produce. “We lack in marketing and promotion, as such we need to upskill our people to promote our tourism sector and market our agriculture produce to the food processing industry.”

He further said, “We need lots of policy changes to attract investment in the north-east.”

In his address, Rahul Sharma, chairman, ASSOCHAM India-Japan Business Promotion Council said that cultural similarities between north-east India and Japan are a key factor for attracting Japanese investment into this region which would lead to the overall development of its people and also act as an important connection for trade from India to ASEAN countries.

NEC Technologies India was the knowledge partner of the conference, while JCCII was the conference partner.

“Japan-India are trusted partners in progress and this partnership extends to cultural, economic and social levels. Japan-India investments in North East India should be devoted not only to improve the hard infrastructure but the focus should also be on the social well being; basic human needs and Human Resource development,” said Piyush Sinha, deputy managing director, NEC Technologies India while addressing the ASSOCHAM conference.

Amid others who addressed the ASSOCHAM conference included Kazuharu Kono, Secretary-General, Japan Commerce & industry in India (JCCII), Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India office, Reiko Furuya, Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Alemtemshi Jamir, CEO, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Col Saurabh Sanyal, deputy secretary-general, ASSOCHAM.