Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Japan’s Tottori Prefecture on Wednesday signed a Friendship Agreement to strengthen bilateral cooperation in investment, industry, skill development, tourism and cultural exchanges, opening up new opportunities for businesses and skilled youth in the state.
The agreement was signed by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Tottori Prefecture Governor Shinji Hirai at the State Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan here in the presence of around 80 Japanese delegates representing industries, technical institutions, banking and financial institutions, and trade and commerce.
The occasion also witnessed the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between institutions from Odisha and Tottori, focusing on startup collaboration, business linkages and human resource development.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi described the Friendship Agreement as an important milestone in bringing the people, institutions and communities of Odisha and Tottori closer.
Highlighting the longstanding India-Japan relationship based on trust, mutual respect and shared civilisational connections, he said Odisha and Tottori had an opportunity to build a strong regional partnership.
The Chief Minister invited Japanese businesses to explore investment opportunities in Odisha’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, industrial clusters and skilled workforce.
He emphasised that the partnership should translate into tangible outcomes, including business collaborations, employment opportunities, student exchanges, tourism and cultural connections.
Majhi also highlighted the presence of established Japanese companies in Odisha, including Indo Nissin, Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Krosaki, TYK, Yokohama, IHI and Toray.
Tottori Prefecture Governor Shinji Hirai began his address in Odia with the words, “I love Odisha”, drawing appreciation from the gathering.
Expressing his commitment to strengthening relations between the two regions, Hirai highlighted the importance of building a lasting partnership through economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and closer engagement between businesses and people.
He also underlined the potential for expanding collaboration between Odisha and Tottori and creating new avenues for mutual growth.
Minister for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain said the partnership would strengthen industrial cooperation, technology exchange and investment linkages while advancing skill development and technical education.
Through the World Skill Center partnership, Odisha aims to provide industry-aligned vocational training in manufacturing and nursing care, supported by Japanese-language training, to create global employment opportunities for young people, he said.
The collaboration through Startup Odisha would promote business matchmaking, startup exchanges, mentoring and investor connections, translating shared strengths into innovation and economic opportunities, Swain added.
Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Gokula Nanda Mallik highlighted the potential for Odisha’s MSMEs and startups to establish business relationships with Tottori through technology partnerships, joint product development, manufacturing linkages, market access and the exchange of business practices.
He invited Japanese entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in Odisha’s growing enterprise ecosystem.
Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries, Home and Information and Public Relations departments Hemant Sharma outlined the background of the proposed Friendship Agreement and highlighted the expanding partnership between Odisha and Japan.
He stressed the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation and creating sustained avenues for collaboration across sectors.
Two MoUs to strengthen institutional cooperation
The first MoU was exchanged between Startup Odisha and the Director of Industries, Tottori Prefecture, to promote business matchmaking, startup exchanges, accelerator programmes, mentoring and stronger connections among enterprises and investors from both regions.
The collaboration is expected to facilitate cross-border entrepreneurial engagement, technology partnerships and access to new markets.
The second MoU was exchanged between the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar, and Tottori Prefecture, involving Nihon Edutech, with a focus on human resource development.
The partnership envisages vocational training aligned with the requirements of businesses in Tottori, particularly in manufacturing and nursing care, along with Japanese-language training and corporate information sessions.
It aims to create pathways for skilled youth from Odisha to gain international exposure and access employment opportunities in Japan.
The Friendship Agreement provides for cooperation in the fields of economy, personnel exchange, youth exchange, tourism, culture and environment. It also encourages exchanges between small and medium-sized businesses, promotion of local specialties, student exchanges and mutual promotion of tourist destinations.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Ishikawa Yoshihisa, members of the Tottori Prefectural Assembly, senior officials, industry representatives and members of the visiting Japanese delegation.
Following the signing ceremony, the Tottori delegation visited the World Skill Center in Bhubaneswar and interacted with students, faculty members and officials.
A cultural exchange programme was also organised at Kala Bhoomi, featuring artistic performances from Japan and Odisha and celebrating the spirit of friendship between the two regions.
The agreements are expected to provide a structured foundation for sustained engagement between Odisha and Tottori, strengthening economic partnerships while deepening cultural understanding and people-to-people relations.
