Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has described his recent tour of Japan and South Korea as a transformative milestone that will significantly accelerate the state’s industrial expansion and reinforce Punjab’s position as one of the most preferred global investment destinations. Presenting a detailed day-wise report of his engagements, the Chief Minister said that the overwhelming response from investors in both countries has laid a strong foundation for future collaborations, setting the stage for a new era of growth, innovation, and employment opportunities in the state.
Sharing insights from his visit, the Chief Minister emphasised that the primary aim was to attract large-scale investments, enhance industrial capacity, and create high-quality job opportunities for Punjab’s youth. He said Punjab was showcased as a rapidly emerging global industrial hub with a robust business ecosystem, policy stability, and skilled manpower. He added that the tour has opened avenues for long-term partnerships in manufacturing, clean energy, technology, skill development, automotive innovation, digital governance, and agriculture-related industries.
During meetings with senior officials of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), positive interest was shown in evaluating Punjab’s proposed industrial and clean energy projects. The bank also agreed to continue technical deliberations on potential financing and welcomed the invitation to the upcoming Punjab Progressive Investor Summit. Similarly, Aisan Industry Co. Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. expressed interest in future possibilities related to R&D, electric mobility, and manufacturing. Yamaha officials also showed willingness to collaborate on skill development and welcomed the summit invitation.
The Chief Minister met leadership from Honda Motor Co. Ltd., who revealed that the company is exploring component manufacturing partnerships in Punjab. He assured Honda of full policy support and facilitation. Additionally, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reaffirmed interest in supporting Punjab in crop diversification, urban infrastructure, water management, and skill development projects. Toray Industries Inc. showed keenness in exploring technical textiles and composites for Punjab’s expanding auto and aerospace sectors.
Officials from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Fujitsu Ltd. expressed interest in strengthening industrial and digital collaborations with Punjab. NEC Corporation also initiated discussions on industrial automation and digital governance integration. The Tokyo Roadshow witnessed participation from over 250 senior leaders from the Japanese industry, including representatives from JETRO, highlighting strong institutional support for Indo-Japan partnerships. Companies such as Hero MotoCorp, Vardhman Special Steels, and XL Scout shared their successful experiences of operating in Punjab.
A significant milestone during the visit was Toppan Holdings conveying an Expression of Interest to expand operations in Punjab with a proposed investment of ₹300–400 crore. A non-binding MoU was signed to jointly develop a Skill Excellence Centre. The Chief Minister also held community engagements with the Indian diaspora to strengthen long-term industry linkages and encourage diaspora-led investments.
At Aichi Steel Headquarters, company leaders expressed their intent to deepen engagement with Punjab, while Aichi Steel and Vardhman Special Steels signed an MoU to study a joint factory project worth around ₹500 crore. Similarly, Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd. shared plans for expansion in agri-tech and allied sectors, acknowledging Punjab’s conducive investment environment.
On the final day of his Japan tour, the Chief Minister met with Air Water Inc. in Osaka, where discussions focused on clean energy, bio-methane, and industrial gases. The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) expressed strong interest in strengthening Indo-Japan business ties and agreed to coordinate with Invest Punjab for structured engagement. Agricultural companies also showed interest in technology transfer for agri-markets and logistics.
The Korea leg of the visit began with a meeting with the Indian Ambassador in Seoul, who acknowledged Punjab’s proactive investment strategy. Community interactions with the Punjabi diaspora in Seoul highlighted opportunities in food processing and global outreach. Leading Korean companies such as Daewoo E&C and GS ENC expressed interest in Punjab’s infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Nongshim, a major global food processing company, also discussed future investment possibilities, including evaluating Punjab as a potential site for a manufacturing unit.
A roundtable on Ease of Doing Business with leading Korean law firms and industry associations saw participation from over 42 delegates. Korean industry leaders expressed strong interest in evaluating Punjab as a manufacturing and R&D hub. The visit to Pangyo Techno Valley introduced Punjab to Korea’s advanced innovation ecosystem, offering replicable models for Mohali’s emerging tech cluster.
The Seoul Investment Roadshow received an enthusiastic response from top Korean institutions, including KOTRA, major law firms, and global businesses such as Bloomberg and BRICS India Trade Pvt. Ltd. At the Seoul Business Agency, discussions revolved around complementarities between Seoul’s technological strengths and Punjab’s emerging IT and electronics ecosystem. Punjab also expressed interest in sports training collaborations during its visit to the Korea National Sports University.
The Tourism Roadshow in Seoul attracted participation from major tour operators who showed keen interest in Punjab’s potential for cultural, spiritual, and heritage tourism. Additionally, Sunjin expressed its plans to expand its animal feed, poultry, and dairy operations in Punjab.
Summarising his visit, Chief Minister Mann said that while Japan and South Korea possess advanced technological capabilities, Punjab has unmatched talent and innovation. The upcoming Punjab Investor Summit will help blend global technology with Punjab’s human capital, making the state a leading economic powerhouse in India and globally.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to CM Dr. Ravi Bhagat, and several other senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
