Rajasthan Seeks Japanese Investment in State’s Solar Sector

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has assured a Japanese business delegation of his government’s full cooperation and support in setting up industries in the state. Gehlot gave the assurance during his meeting with the delegation led by Japan’s Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu. 

In the meeting, Gehlot also invited Japanese entrepreneurs to invest in the solar energy sector in the state saying that Rajasthan is the most promising state in the field of solar energy. The state government is encouraging investment in this area, he said. 

The delegation also had representatives from companies located in the Japanese Zone at Neemrana in Rajasthan and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). 

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation too appreciated the help and facilities accorded to them in their functioning at the Neemrana Japanese Zone, and elsewhere in the state. An official statement said over 27,000 people are getting employment in the Japanese companies working in the state. 

The chief minister urged Japanese companies already operating in the state to consider carrying out expansions while promising them full cooperation in ventures. 

While urging the delegation to explore possibilities of fresh investments in the state, Gehlot said new works in the field of irrigation, drinking water supply and forestry should also be sanctioned in the state with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

Earlier this month, Gehlot had said that his government will bring in a policy to make the state a hub of solar energy. He said efforts were being made to generate 10,000 MW of additional power in the state in the next five years. 

“The government is going to introduce a new solar and wind energy to make the state a hub of solar power,” Gehlot said. 

The chief minister said a 1,000 MW solar park is being developed in Nokh, Jaisalmer by the Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Limited. About Rs 3,450 will be invested in it, he added. The people of the state will greatly benefit from the solar park, the chief minister added. Presently, Rajasthan is on the third position in the field of solar power and efforts are on to bring it to number one, Gehlot said.