Seven medium-sized Japanese firms to invest in Gujarat: Japan External Trade Organisation

AHMEDABAD: At least seven new medium-sized Japanese companies plan to set up manufacturing plants in the Japanese Industrial Cluster at Vithalapur village in the district.

These companies include Mitsubishi Aluminium's M A Extrusion, T S Tech and Roki-Minda, besides around four others which plan to begin operations soon, Japan External Trade Organisation's (JETRO) Director Hiroyuki Kitamura said today.

"These automotive ancillary firms would provide parts to auto giants like Honda and Suzuki which are being set up in that region, M A Extrusion, T S Tech and Roki Minda will commence operations by the end of March 2015. Three to four other firms will begin operations within six months," Kitamura said.

Vithalapur and the nearby Hansalpur village have emerged as Gujarat's auto hub, attracting Japanese auto giants to set up their plants.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) plans to set up its plant in Hansalpur, while Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India (HMSI) plans to set up a manufacturing plant at Vithalapur village in Mandal taluka of Ahmedabad district.

"Earlier, we signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to develop the Japanese Industrial Cluster. These new Japanese firms will provide auto parts to auto giants. For example, T S Tech is a motorcycle seat manufacturer, while Roki Minda manufactures air filters," Kitamura said.

Kitamura was here to attend inauguration of Mitsubishi Electric India (MEI)'s Factory Automation (FA) Centre in the city, which has become MEI's fifth such centre in India after Pune, Gurgaon, Bangalore and Chennai.

While interacting with the media, MEI Managing Director Makoto Kitai did not rule out the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

"Gujarat's manufacturing sector will grow further especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make In India' campaign. We have manufacturing facilities in Pune and Bangalore at present. I personally hope that we set up a plant here as well. Though there are no immidiate plans, I don't deny the possibility," Kitai said.