the goan I network
VASCO
Affirming the need to know and learn more about Goa with respect to its tourism potential, Consul General of Japan in India Ryoji Noda has said Goa has good potential to set up food processing industries and also advised Mormugao port to have a tie-up with Japanese ports.
Noda was addressing a gathering during his brief visit to the Mormugao Port Trust on Thursday. “Back home in Japan, we have learnt about Goa and that the Portuguese ruled over Goa in our history books. But, there is a need to know and learn more about Goa with respect to its tourism potential in the Far East,” said Noda.
“Our two countries enjoy friendly relations and we have good trade relations too. In the near future, around 300 Japanese entrepreneurs will attend a trade conference in Goa. We need to take the trade relations between our countries forward,” he added.
Noda was received by MPT acting chairman G P Rai and he held wide ranging talks with MPT officials. Stating that Japan is undertaking the underground Metro Project in Mumbai, Noda said the Japanese Port of Osaka and Yokohama has a sister-port tie up with the Mumbai Port.
“The Mormugao Port too should work towards having a sister-port tie up with other Japanese ports. We could work together on various aspects as the Government of Japan wishes to promote people to people contact with the people of India and we are gradually working and promoting this relationship,” said Noda.
Food processing was another field that Noda laid emphasis on, especially in Goa.
“Food processing is an important and fast growing industry. There is a need to tap the food resources from the sea to meet the ever-growing food demands of the increasing world population.”
“Being a coastal state, Goa has a good potential to set up food processing industries where the waste fish could be put to good use,” said Noda.
A short documentary on the Mormugao Port was also presented to the visiting dignitary. The Consul General and two other dignitaries were later taken for a port visit to familiarise them with the port operations and the infrastructure facilities available at Mormugao Port.
