India, Japan Ties Strengthen as BCIC, Osaka Ink MoU

• The MoU connects Karnataka’s start-up ecosystem with Osaka’s expertise in manufacturing and innovation
• The partnership prioritizes SME trade collaboration, especially in manufacturing
• Ensures long-term growth  via regular reviews and exchanges

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), and the City of Osaka have entered into a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), leading the way for India–Japan cooperation.

This MoU closely aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing vibrant state-prefecture partnerships to expand trade, technology, manufacturing, and cultural growth.

The purpose of this MoU is to create linkages between Karnataka's growing start-up ecosystem and Osaka's global reputation in manufacturing and innovative thinking. It is hoped that by linking the strengths of entrepreneurs and start-ups in both Karnataka and Osaka, new and exciting opportunities will signal possibilities for joint ventures, technology transactions, and continued knowledge sharing to foster win-win relationship for businesses.

The MoU notably emphasizes increasing cooperation between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially around manufacturing, and creating links between start-ups in Karnataka and Osaka to develop cooperative and complementary bases to fast-track innovation.

Also Read: HAL Signs SSLV Tech Transfer Deal with ISRO & NSIL

The engagement is set up to be long-term therefore contains provisions for ongoing conversations/discussions, periodic reviews, and for the start up of collaborative exchange projects.

Mr. K Ravi, Officiating President of the BCIC stated, "The MOU between BCIC and Osaka is a significant milestone. We look forward to building a mutually supportive ecosystem, based on Osaka’s manufacturing strengths and Karnataka’s vibrant start-up ecosystem. This partnership is about creating a bridge between innovation and industrial production, where our start-ups can scale with Osaka’s manufacturing prowess and their industries can modernize with our technological agility. It is a powerful synergy designed to drive growth and create a new model for bilateral prosperity".

The partnership represents the wider state-prefecture permanent initiative which focuses on ongoing cooperation to build new industries, develop capable skilled talent and grow market opportunities.

Through collaboration, BCIC and Osaka will, in the words of the parties' agreement, go from strategic intentions to practical, on-the-ground action. Both parties feel the collaboration can ultimately develop a more vibrant international business network, promote bilateral trade, and spur innovation, acting as a template for future state prefecture-focused economic growth in India and Japan.