India 28th June: Shri M.B. Patil, the Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, held a series of strategic meetings with prominent global companies from Japan, including Panasonic Energy, Nidec Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, Osaka Gas, Sumitomo Corporation, and JOIN. These meetings aimed to strengthen economic ties and promote Karnataka as a premier investment destination. The meetings were attended by Shri Selvakumar S, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, and Smt Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Commerce and Industries.
The discussions focused on fostering strategic investments in Karnataka, highlighting the state’s robust industrial infrastructure, favorable business climate, and vast potential as an investment hub. The delegation emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to facilitating foreign investments through policy support, incentives, and collaborative opportunities with local enterprises and research institutions. The meetings underscored Karnataka’s readiness to partner with Japanese firms to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the region.
Panasonic Energy
In a significant move to enhance industrial collaboration, the delegation led by Shri M.B. Patil engaged in fruitful discussions with senior executives from Panasonic Energy. Participants included Mr. Nakanishi, Director of Policy and External Relations, and Mr. Naruse, General Manager of Policy and External Relations. Panasonic Energy is exploring a joint venture with Indian Oil to produce cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. This collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for two and three-wheeler EV batteries, with plans to complete a feasibility study and finalize discussions. The government expressed willingness to provide support and facilitate these conversations. Shri M.B. Patil discussed Karnataka’s Industrial Policy, which offers lucrative incentives and support for swift approvals, including a turnover-based incentive system to ensure balanced industrial development. Additionally, there was a discussion on incentives by the government based on the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and Capex subsidy. The conversation also touched on the potential duties on imports from China to prevent the dumping of subsidized batteries. The government highlighted the possibility of facilitating collaborations with startups in Bangalore, such as Nopo and Log9, to leverage the existing battery manufacturing value chain and help develop a local supply chain for battery components. Furthermore, potential research collaborations with Indian institutions like the Indian Institute of Science were explored. The delegation emphasized battery safety, particularly in the context of electric vehicles, noting Panasonic Energy’s strong track record with no history of recalls. The delegation expressed excitement that Panasonic Energy has chosen to explore opportunities in Karnataka, leveraging the state’s conducive ecosystem and progressive policies.
Nidec Corporation
Shri M.B. Patil held a strategic meeting with Nidec Corporation including Mr. Mitsuya Kishida (Group President & CEO), Tatsuya Nishimoto (Executive VP), Takamitsu Araki (First Senior VP), Takashi Kishimae (VP), David Sonzogni (President – Power Business Segment), Girish D. Kulkarni (President and Country Managing Director), and Kenji Tsukamoto (General Manager).Nidec Corporation, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of electric motors and related components, serving sectors such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics. Nidec is renowned for developing innovative and energy-efficient motor solutions to meet global demands. In May 2024, Nidec launched its motion and energy phase 1 facility in Hubli to enhance local production capabilities, streamline the supply chain, and enable the production of variable speed drives, elevator motors, and electric vehicle motors. The delegates from Nidec discussed their expansion in India across various business segments including motors, power backup generators, gearboxes, machine tools, and R&D operations. They also highlighted Nidec’s strong presence in multiple industries such as auto components, electronics, and machine tools, and how they can leverage Karnataka’s robust ecosystem in each sector. Nidec emphasized their plans to become a leading player in the Indian market, with significant room for expansion in Karnataka, seeking government support and strategic partnerships. Nidec is planning to start operations in their $55 million Hubli plant in 2025, which includes six factories manufacturing motors for electric vehicles (2/3/4 wheelers). They also discussed the necessary government support, honorable minister Shri M.B. Patil assured full assistance. Additionally, Nidec is planning to establish an R&D center in Karnataka to provide software for the entire Nidec group operations. They discussed securing government support and incentives to set up this facility. The state representatives informed Nidec about Karnataka’s Industrial Policy, which offers lucrative incentives and swift approvals, including a turnover-based incentive system to ensure balanced industrial development.
Shimadzu Corporation
Shri M.B. Patil met with senior executives from Shimadzu Corporation which included Katsuaki Kaito (Senior Managing Executive Officer), Masaru Hasegawa (Deputy GM, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division), Toshiaki Saeki (Senior Manager, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division), Takashi Kamitani (GM, Manufacturing Management Department), Kazuhiro Mori (Senior Manager, Manufacturing Management Department), and Miyagishi Yukiji (Manager, Manufacturing Center). Shimadzu Corporation, a Japanese multinational company specializes in manufacturing precision instruments, measuring instruments, and medical equipment. In India, Shimadzu is involved in various projects in Karnataka, providing advanced analytical and medical equipment to support the healthcare and industrial sectors. During the meeting, the delegation led by M.B.Patil toured Shimadzu’s Science Plaza, where they were shown advanced medical and precision instruments. Discussions focused on the wide-ranging commercial applications of these instruments. Shimadzu executives emphasized that India is an important market for them, with sales exceeding $100 million, and expressed a keen interest in exploring business expansion opportunities and R&D in Karnataka. The conversation also covered Shimadzu’s interest in exploring manufacturing opportunities in Karnataka, with a request for assistance in acquiring land and securing incentives. The government assured complete support and commitment to Shimadzu’s future plans in Karnataka, emphasizing the state’s conducive ecosystem and progressive policies.
Osaka gas
A big win for industrial teamwork as Shri M.B. Patil engaged in fruitful discussions with Mr. Katz Sato, Executive Officer and Head of Energy Resources and International Business Unit at Osaka Gas. Osaka Gas is a leading energy supplier specializing in natural gas and related services. The company operates across the energy, chemicals, and engineering sectors, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability solutions. During the meeting, the delegation discussed Osaka Gas’s recent agreement with Sumitomo and JOIN to invest in AG&P LNG Marketing Pte. Ltd., aiming to boost the city gas distribution business in India. Karnataka officials highlighted the state’s robust ecosystem for renewable energy, with 63% of installed power capacity coming from renewables, making it the leader in solar energy production in India. Osaka Gas has already established infrastructure at multiple locations in India, having invested 240 million dollars, and is keen on further expansion in India and Karnataka and has plans to invest 600 million dollars in Next 5 Years. Currently, they have a presence in five districts in Karnataka. The Karnataka government assured their commitment to working closely with Osaka Gas to enable future expansion plans for domestic and industrial gas. They also pledged support for the expansion of natural gas provisions to industrial areas. Furthermore, recent reductions in the cost of laying gas pipelines in Karnataka were highlighted as beneficial for Osaka Gas. The company was encouraged to power industrial parks at competitive rates. The government proposed exploring the setup of an LNG terminal at Mangalore port and offered assistance with demand studies and further planning. The upcoming new industrial policy, which includes incentives for companies to reduce their carbon footprint, was also discussed. Karnataka officials committed to coordinating with Osaka Gas to map pipelines and capture the industry’s potential. Osaka Gas’s work on carbon-neutral initiatives, particularly E-Methane, was noted, with discussions on potential synergies for domestic and export production if Osaka Gas employs less power-intensive production processes. The meeting also touched on the growth potential of electric vehicles (EVs) in India and plans to leverage Osaka Gas’s network to power industrial parks in areas such as Mysore (Electronics Manufacturing Cluster), Gulbarga, and Hasan (Textile Parks).
JOIN
Shri M.B. Patil had a meeting with delegates from JOIN, Mr. Hirofumi Nakamura, Head of Transition Energy Project Unit, Gas Value Chain SBU, Mr. Hirokazu Maruyama, Business Development Team Head, Transition Energy Project Unit, Gas Value Chain SBU, Mr. Nobuhiro Sakurai, Director, Group 3&4, Project Department and Mr. Daichi Okumura, Associate, Group 4, Project Department. JOIN expressed their support and willingness to help facilitate Japanese company investments in the state. The government assured full support and provision of necessary information required by JOIN to aid in their endeavors, highlighting Karnataka’s strong renewable energy ecosystem, lucrative incentives, and swift approval processes.
Hitachi Zosen Corporation
Hon’ble Minister Shri M.B. Patil met with representatives from Hitachi Zosen Corporation, including Mr. Masashi Okada, Group Leader of the Membrane Separation Group, and Mr. Shin Aida, Deputy General Manager of Environmental Business Development. The discussions centered around Hitachi Zosen’s products and business lines, particularly their waste-to-energy (W2E) plants, including one delivered to Karnataka Gas Power. The Government of Karnataka expressed willingness to facilitate collaboration with MRPL, involved in xylene production, which could enhance Hitachi Zosen’s value chain. The company is also seeking opportunities to supply to the pharmaceutical industry, and the government pledged to introduce Hitachi Zosen to Karnataka’s pharma associations and explore potential collaborations in the Yadgir industrial cluster. Hitachi Zosen Corporation is keen on expanding its market presence in Karnataka and the broader Indian market.