After Yogi’s visit, biz delegations fromSingapore, Japan to arrive in UP soon

Lucknow: Less than a month after CM Yogi Adityanath completed his tour to Singapore and Japan to seek investment, scores of CEOs and business honchos from the two countries are lined up to visit UP to explore the opportunities in the next few months.Top officials in the CM office told TOI that as a way forward after the Yogi's four-day tour between Feb 22 and 27, delegations from Singapore would begin its visit from the next month, while its high commissioner is likely to meet the CM in April.The high commissioner's visit is likely to be followed by visits by various business heads from the country, the officials confirmed. The UP govt is looking at investment in skill development and data centre sectors from Singapore business houses and in the next four to five years, it hopes to send around 1 lakh youth to that country as part of the skill development programme.Interestingly, Singapore businessmen have already invested in various infrastructure development projects through sovereign funding, in projects such as expressway construction. Singapore has expertise in skill development, the official said, adding that even a mason or a plumber in Singapore can only work in the country if he or she has the related expertise degree or qualification.Similarly, a huge delegation of around 200 individuals, including around 125 CEOs from Japan, sought a date in August this year to visit UP, the official said. The Japanese delegation wanted a specific date for the visit in August and to meet the CM. The official added that a final date for the delegation was being finalised and they would be informed soon.After the meeting, the Japanese delegation is likely to visit possible sites for investment in the manufacturing segment, the official said, adding that it would be shown various sites, including Noida, Greater Noida, and other places.Interestingly, Japan's Escort Kubota Limited is already investing around Rs 4,500 crore to establish a greenfield tractor and commercial equipment manufacturing plant in the state. The project, located on 200 acres of land in the YEIDA's Sector 10, aims to generate 4,000 jobs and is expected to boost annual production capacity, with construction potentially starting around 2028.Similarly, Minda Corporation, another Japanese firm, was allotted 23 acres of land in Sector 10 of YEIDA in December last year. Minda Corporation proposed a Rs 522 crore automotive components manufacturing facility in the area. The project will focus on wiring harnesses and related connection systems.