THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
In a major push to strengthen Odisha’s international economic
partnerships, a high-level Japanese delegation led by Tottori Prefecture
Governor Shinji Hirai will visit the state from November 10 to 12 to explore
investment opportunities, forge business partnerships and expand cooperation
across key sectors, including manufacturing, food processing, technology, skill
development, education and tourism.
The three-day visit is expected to mark a significant milestone in Odisha-Japan
relations, with the proposed signing of a Friendship Agreement between the
Odisha government and the Tottori Prefectural Government emerging as its key
highlight.
The agreement is envisaged to establish an institutional framework for
sustained cooperation in economic activities, exchange of personnel, youth and
student exchanges, tourism, culture and environmental initiatives, officials
said on Wednesday.
The programme will commence on November 10 with an interaction between
the Tottori business delegation and Odisha's startup and business ecosystem at
Startup Odisha's O-Hub. The delegation will subsequently visit the Central Tool
Room and Training Centre (CTTC), followed by a business roundtable in
Bhubaneswar.
The roundtable will bring together senior state government officials,
industry representatives, Japanese companies operating in Odisha and business
delegates from Tottori to identify potential areas of collaboration and explore
mutually beneficial investment opportunities.
On November 11, the delegation will visit the Indo-Nissin facility at the
Khurda Food Processing Park to gain first-hand insights into the operations of
an established Japanese enterprise in the state. This will be followed by the
official bilateral programme with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the
State Convention Centre.
The programme will also feature the exchange of memoranda of
understanding (MoUs), aimed at strengthening institutional linkages,
facilitating knowledge sharing and creating fresh opportunities for students,
young professionals and business establishments.
Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the growing partnership
between Odisha and Japan was built on mutual trust and shared economic
opportunities.
"The visit of the Governor of Tottori Prefecture will provide an
important platform to deepen this relationship. Odisha has significant
potential in manufacturing, food processing, technology and skill development,
and we look forward to building meaningful partnerships that connect
businesses, institutions and people," he said.
"Our objective is to translate these engagements into long-term
cooperation and opportunities for the people of both regions," Swain
added.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma
said the visit would offer the Japanese delegation an opportunity to experience
Odisha's industrial ecosystem and interact directly with its institutions and
business community.
The presence of Japanese companies in Odisha demonstrated the potential
for mutually beneficial partnerships, he said, adding that the business
roundtable, industrial visits and proposed institutional agreements would help
identify practical areas of cooperation and strengthen the foundation for future
engagement.
The delegation will also visit the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar on
November 11 and interact with students, faculty members and officials. The
interaction is expected to explore avenues for collaboration in technical
education, vocational training, skill enhancement and international exposure
for young people.
An evening cultural programme at Kala Bhoomi will showcase the rich
cultural traditions of Odisha and Tottori, highlighting the potential for
people-to-people connections beyond commercial and institutional engagements.
On the final day, November 12, the delegation is scheduled to visit the
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Konark Sun Temple, before departing from
Bhubaneswar.
Odisha's engagement with Japan has gained momentum with the presence of established Japanese enterprises such as Indo-Nissin and recent collaborations involving Japanese companies in sectors such as steel and green energy.
The proposed Tottori visit is expected to take this relationship beyond conventional investment discussions by creating stronger connections among businesses, educational institutions, skilled professionals and communities.
