Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], Karnataka Minister for Large, Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development MB Patil on Monday met representatives of global companies during a strategic business tour to Japan. The discussions highlighted opportunities to improve infrastructure, digital solutions and sustainability initiatives, reinforcing a shared commitment to promote mutual interests and foster long-term partnerships, according to an official statement.
The Karnataka government delegation led by the minister focused on attracting investments to the state and fostering a strong business environment for India.
According to officials, the meetings on day 1 focused on exploring possible collaborations and strategic investments in Karnataka, emphasizing the importance of leveraging each company's expertise and innovation to drive economic growth and development in the region.Patil met with key representatives of Nissin Foods, including Ryota Kawawa, general manager of the Corporate Management Division, Michiko Kakuchi, Manager of the Corporate Management Division and Kaya Tanii, Sustainability Strategy Leader of the Corporate Planning Division.
Nissin Foods, with a presence for 23 years in India, has seen significant increases in sales and profits over the past three years and potential for further growth with government support.
Patil suggested Bengaluru as an expansion hub, helping both domestic growth and exports, and expressed interest in Nissin's plans, offering support through food parks in Dharwad and Bijapur, which emphasize the entire processing value chain. of food and are close to Maharashtra.Nissin has changed its strategy in the last three years to focus on the mid-premium segment, which has led to higher consumption and better margins. While there are no immediate investment plans, possible expansion is anticipated in the next 3 to 5 years.
The discussion also covered post-COVID shifts toward e-commerce and fast commerce, the rise of millennials and Generation Z as key consumer demographics, and the rise of D2C niche brands. The Minister invited Nissin Foods to the Global Investors Meet (GIM) and highlighted the importance of marketing aimed at the young population and the role of the Food Tech Research Institute in promoting research. Additionally, Nissin's innovations in food preparation technology and its possible introductions to the Indian market were highlighted. The conversation also touched on sustainability certifications including FSSAI, organic certifications, Agmark for product sustainability and GreenCo for manufacturing process sustainability.
Minister Patil participated in a conversation with key representatives of Hitachi, including Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director, Hitachi India and Corporate Head, Hitachi, Ltd.; Kazuhisa Kaneko, general manager of government relations group, Hitachi, Ltd.; Yushi Akiyama, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi India; Kunio Kubota, Senior Manager of Government Relations Group, Hitachi, Ltd.; and Asami Higai, Deputy Group Manager of Government Relations, Hitachi, Ltd. This highlighted the importance of partnerships and leveraging existing infrastructure. Hitachi showcased its efficient and durable engineering products, some of which have been in operation for more than 50 years. Additionally, they discussed the potential of quantum computing to improve energy efficiency and their joint venture with the Indian government on cybersecurity. The delegation acknowledged the significant shift towards digital services in India, particularly in financial services. Hitachi is exploring more opportunities in this area.
Minister Patil participated in a strategic discussion with Joji Tagawa, Senior Vice President, Nissan, and Frank Torres, President, Nissan India, focusing on possible collaborations and expansion of Nissan's electric vehicle initiatives in Karnataka.
The meeting emphasized its global presence, its commitment to governments and the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' vision that focuses on expanding electric mobility. Highlighting that vehicles produced by Nissan India are exported to over 120 countries, the Minister suggested Karnataka as a future export center for electric vehicles.
Discussions included Nissan's sustainability activities, advanced electric vehicle technology and new battery developments in Yokohama, with the potential to take advantage of Karnataka's upcoming Exide gigafactory.
Cooperation on hybrid car technology was also explored, aligning with Karnataka's upcoming clean mobility policy and attractive incentives for electric vehicle strategies. The electric vehicle cluster identified at Tumkuru, along the CBIC corridor, was proposed as an ideal site for Nissan due to its strategic location near metropolitan cities.
The meeting also recognized Nissan's pioneering role in electric vehicles since 1947 and its recent advances in mass production of electric vehicles.
A presentation on Nissan's business in India highlighted its focus on electrification, renewal and a new high-tech car.Patil highlighted Karnataka's strong R&D ecosystem, which includes a strong network of Japanese companies and a commitment to sustainability, which presents opportunities for Nissan in both manufacturing and design.
The Karnataka government delegation led by the minister focused on attracting investments to the state and fostering a strong business environment for India.
According to officials, the meetings on day 1 focused on exploring possible collaborations and strategic investments in Karnataka, emphasizing the importance of leveraging each company's expertise and innovation to drive economic growth and development in the region.Patil met with key representatives of Nissin Foods, including Ryota Kawawa, general manager of the Corporate Management Division, Michiko Kakuchi, Manager of the Corporate Management Division and Kaya Tanii, Sustainability Strategy Leader of the Corporate Planning Division.
Nissin Foods, with a presence for 23 years in India, has seen significant increases in sales and profits over the past three years and potential for further growth with government support.
Patil suggested Bengaluru as an expansion hub, helping both domestic growth and exports, and expressed interest in Nissin's plans, offering support through food parks in Dharwad and Bijapur, which emphasize the entire processing value chain. of food and are close to Maharashtra.Nissin has changed its strategy in the last three years to focus on the mid-premium segment, which has led to higher consumption and better margins. While there are no immediate investment plans, possible expansion is anticipated in the next 3 to 5 years.
The discussion also covered post-COVID shifts toward e-commerce and fast commerce, the rise of millennials and Generation Z as key consumer demographics, and the rise of D2C niche brands. The Minister invited Nissin Foods to the Global Investors Meet (GIM) and highlighted the importance of marketing aimed at the young population and the role of the Food Tech Research Institute in promoting research. Additionally, Nissin's innovations in food preparation technology and its possible introductions to the Indian market were highlighted. The conversation also touched on sustainability certifications including FSSAI, organic certifications, Agmark for product sustainability and GreenCo for manufacturing process sustainability.
Minister Patil participated in a conversation with key representatives of Hitachi, including Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director, Hitachi India and Corporate Head, Hitachi, Ltd.; Kazuhisa Kaneko, general manager of government relations group, Hitachi, Ltd.; Yushi Akiyama, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi India; Kunio Kubota, Senior Manager of Government Relations Group, Hitachi, Ltd.; and Asami Higai, Deputy Group Manager of Government Relations, Hitachi, Ltd. This highlighted the importance of partnerships and leveraging existing infrastructure. Hitachi showcased its efficient and durable engineering products, some of which have been in operation for more than 50 years. Additionally, they discussed the potential of quantum computing to improve energy efficiency and their joint venture with the Indian government on cybersecurity. The delegation acknowledged the significant shift towards digital services in India, particularly in financial services. Hitachi is exploring more opportunities in this area.
Minister Patil participated in a strategic discussion with Joji Tagawa, Senior Vice President, Nissan, and Frank Torres, President, Nissan India, focusing on possible collaborations and expansion of Nissan's electric vehicle initiatives in Karnataka.
The meeting emphasized its global presence, its commitment to governments and the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' vision that focuses on expanding electric mobility. Highlighting that vehicles produced by Nissan India are exported to over 120 countries, the Minister suggested Karnataka as a future export center for electric vehicles.
Discussions included Nissan's sustainability activities, advanced electric vehicle technology and new battery developments in Yokohama, with the potential to take advantage of Karnataka's upcoming Exide gigafactory.
Cooperation on hybrid car technology was also explored, aligning with Karnataka's upcoming clean mobility policy and attractive incentives for electric vehicle strategies. The electric vehicle cluster identified at Tumkuru, along the CBIC corridor, was proposed as an ideal site for Nissan due to its strategic location near metropolitan cities.
The meeting also recognized Nissan's pioneering role in electric vehicles since 1947 and its recent advances in mass production of electric vehicles.
A presentation on Nissan's business in India highlighted its focus on electrification, renewal and a new high-tech car.Patil highlighted Karnataka's strong R&D ecosystem, which includes a strong network of Japanese companies and a commitment to sustainability, which presents opportunities for Nissan in both manufacturing and design.
