Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spearheaded a significant business roadshow in Osaka, Japan, on Friday, marking a key event during his four-day official visit. The state government reported strong attendance from leading Japanese corporations, who demonstrated a keen interest in exploring investment opportunities within Punjab.
Showcasing Punjab's Progressive Ecosystem
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mann stated that the participation of major industrial players underscores the robust institutional backing for enhancing economic relations between India and Japan. He emphasized that this interest is a direct reflection of global investors' growing confidence in Punjab's forward-looking industrial policies, its unified single-window clearance system, and the array of investment-ready projects.
Mann highlighted the state's already strong and deepening ties with Japanese industry, noting that several renowned Japanese companies have already placed their trust in Punjab. Due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab has now emerged as a top-tier global investment destination, he asserted.
Strategic Advantages and Governance Reforms
The Chief Minister detailed Punjab's core strengths, which include its strategic geographic location, seamless connectivity to the National Capital Region (NCR) and major ports, established industrial clusters, and an uninterrupted supply of quality power. He also pointed to the state's skilled workforce and progressive policy environment as key attractors.
Mann extensively showcased the state's governance and regulatory reforms. These include the FastTrack Punjab single-window portal, which offers over 173 government-to-business services, provisions for auto-deemed approvals, and PAN-based business identifiers. He also mentioned amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Act that facilitate time-bound in-principle approvals for investors.
On the infrastructure front, he revealed that Invest Punjab has already facilitated on-ground investments worth over Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
A Vision of Partnership and Growth
Mann outlined his clear vision: to establish Punjab as the preferred global industrial hub by guaranteeing policy stability, accelerating decision-making, and instituting a governance system that values investors' time and trust. He stressed that Punjab's approach is fundamentally collaborative, aiming to work in close partnership with industry by understanding their needs and positioning the government as a catalyst for growth.
"The partnership between government and industry is pivotal to our success," Mann said. "We firmly believe that industrial growth can only be realized when we work as equal partners." This principle, he explained, is the foundation of the state's New Industrial Policy introduced in 2022, which was formulated in consultation with industry leaders.
To further this collaborative model, the state government has established 24 sectoral committees chaired by captains of industry to develop tailored, sector-specific policies.
Building Bridges with Japanese Business
Beyond the roadshow, Chief Minister Mann held an interactive session with the Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) to explore avenues for trade, technology transfer, and collaboration among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He also conducted a separate meeting with representatives from Tokushima Auction Market and Global Venture Co., Ltd. to discuss modernizing agricultural markets and forging supply-chain partnerships.
The Osaka Business Roadshow and Reception was notably attended by senior Japanese dignitaries, including the Director General of JETRO, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Commerce, Industry & Labor of the Osaka Prefectural Government, and the Director General of the International Affairs Department of METI Kansai, among others.
