Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) hosted a business delegation from Japan on Wednesday, January 22, and assured all support in establishing business ventures in Dakshina Kannada district.

The delegation was led by Gopal Mugeraya, vice-president, Technical Education, NITTE along with Harikrishna Bhat, director, International Collaborations (Asia – Pacific Region), Komatsu Shinya, prefectural assembly member and former vice-chairman, Japan, Katsutoshi Seiwa, director – Industrial Technology Innovation Division, Japan and others, said in a release.

The meeting focused on fostering trade ties and encouraging Japanese businesses to establish operations in Mangaluru, leveraging the region’s robust infrastructure, skilled manpower, and strategic connectivity.

KCCI president Anand G. Pai highlighted the role of KCCI in regional trade and commerce development, emphasising opportunities within the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZ), which has already attracted interest from an MNC. He assured KCCI’s full support in facilitating business ventures in the area. Referring to Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta’s vision of “Back to Ooru”, he invited Indians in Japan to invest in Mangaluru, promoting local job creation and boosting MSMEs.

Capt. Chowta felicitated the delegates and promised comprehensive support, including land allocation and streamlined compliance processes. He also pledged to engage with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for potential government grants to aid these initiatives.

Mangaluru South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath praised Japan’s advancements and welcomed their interest in the region, acknowledging Capt. Chowta’s role in infrastructure development advocacy.

KCCI vice-president P.B. Ahmed Mudassar, secretary Aditya Padmanabha Pai, and other KCCI directors were present.