Japanese industry keen to invest in Indian energy: Goyal

Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said Japanese financial institutions have expressed keen interest in investing in India including in the energy sector.

"I had a very good interaction with six financial institutions and banks. The high level of integrity and good governance that has been the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has excited investors who wished to commit large amount of capital particularly for the energy sector," Goyal, who is attending the eighth India-Japan Strategic Energy Dialogue here, told reporters.

"Most bankers expressed deep satisfaction at the growing importance that Japan places on Indo-Japanese Strategic Partnership and wish to participate in this engagement," he said.

Among the financial institutions with whom the minister met are Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank, BTMU (Bank of Tokyo Mitsubhishi UFJ), Japan International Cooperation Agency and Nippon Export and Insurance Investment.

Speaking earlier at his second bilateral meeting with the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motoo Hayashi here, Goyal reiterated the need to deepen energy cooperation between both countries.

"The cooperation in energy sector should be such that Japanese technology and capital can be dovetailed with Indian high skilled human resources to create partnerships not only for the mutual benefit but also for benefit to the world," India's power ministry cited Goyal as saying at the meeting.

"The Joint Statement issued following the conclusion of the Energy Dialogue chalked out a clear roadmap for further collaboration in the fields of electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, coal and petroleum and natural gas," said the release, issued in New Delhi.

Goyal invited his Japanese counterpart to visit India for the 9th Energy Dialogue, at a mutually convenient time, in 2017.

On this visit to Japan, Goyal is accompanied by a business delegation representing over 30 Indian business enterprises and public sector undertakings.