Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 4 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday welcomed Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, Nukaga Fukushiro and his high-level delegation to the state.

He called the visit a huge milestone for ties between Assam and Japan.

Receiving the Speaker and the delegation at his office in Lok Sewa Bhawan on Saturday evening, Chief Minister Sarma said, 'I consider it my honour to welcome the Speaker and his delegation to our beautiful state Assam. This visit is a testament to deepening ties between Assam and Japan. This visit will also encourage Japanese companies to look to Assam and other North Eastern states for enhancing the collaboration.'

Speaking in the honour of the Speaker, Chief Minister Sarma said that the visit will give new momentum to Assam's strategic partnership with Japan through collaborative initiatives in the backdrop of Advantage Assam 2.0. The Chief Minister apprised Nukaga Fukushiro of the business ecosystem in Assam.

Referring to his visit to Japan in February this year prior to the Investment and Infrastructure Summit and his meeting with the Speaker Assam youths' gainful employment in Japan, Chief Minister Sarma conveyed Assam's readiness of starting the Japanese Language and Testing Centre at ASEAN One Technical Centre at Amingaon in Kamrup district.

Thanking the Speaker for the visit to Assam, the Chief Minister said, 'This is not just a visit- it is a symbol of people-to-people connection and future cooperation.'

The Chief Minister also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also exuded his confidence to the Japanese delegation's visit to Assam as he expressed that the visit will help Assam and other North Eastern states to take benefits from the bourgeoning bilateral relations between India and Japan.

Earlier, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota gave a detailed presentation showcasing Assam's flourishing business landscape and potential areas for collaboration.

He also presented Assam's strategic location which is a window to 35 per cent world's population. He also highlighted on a gamut of opportunities ranging from industries, tourism, skill, employment etc., mines & minerals, environment & forest, education, Act East Policy, innovation, incubation and start up, health & family welfare etc. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Nandita Gorlosa, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, Ambassador of Japan to India Keiichi ONO, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KK Dwivedi, senior officers and host of dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)