Japan-India Institute of Manufacturing inaugurated

: The Ambassador of Japan to India Kenji Hiramatsu Friday inaugurated the "Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing" (JIM), a residential skill training centre, at Sri City in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

JIM is part of a Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme initiated by the Government of Japan in India under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries in 2016 to impart training to 30,000 Indian youth in manufacturing soft skills.

Several Japanese companies are collaborating in this initiative to create a pool of skilled manpower for manufacturing units in India.

Eight JIMs are already functioning in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, a release from Sri City SEZ here said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Japanese Ambassador said his country was an active partner in Indias growth.

"Sri City is the second largest township for Japanese companies in India.

I hope students will make use of the training at JIM and transform themselves into skilled technicians in manufacturing," Hiramatsu said.

Consul General of Japan in Chennai Kojiro Uchiyama, JIM Sri City president Sugimoto Yuji, Sri City Managing Director Ravindra Sannareddy and other officials attended the event.

Briefing about JIM, Yoshio Nishida, Director of Kobelco Group, that is the lead company, said the year-long training at various companies would enable students get hands-on experience in manufacturing and bridge the gap between theory and actual industry requirement.

Training in safety, English language and computer would enhance the skills of students and equip them with allround skills and capabilities, he added.