*ON FOURTH DAY OF HIS JAPAN VISIT, CM HOLDS BUSINESS ROADSHOW AT OSAKA*

*MASSIVE RESPONSE TO CM’S ROADSHOW AS LEADING JAPANESE COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN THE ROADSHOW*

*EVINCE KEEN INTEREST IN INVESTING IN PUNJAB*

Chandigarh, December 5:The roadshow by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday at Osaka got a massive response as leading Japanese companies attended the roadshow and evinced keen interest in investing in the state.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the participation of these industrial giants reflect strong institutional support for strengthening Indo-Japan economic ties. He said that it also shows growing interest of the global investors in Punjab’s progressive industrial policies, unified single-window system and investment-ready opportunities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the goal of state government is to create new opportunities for our youth and a stable, reliable environment for investors.

Recalling Punjab’s ties with Japanese industry, the Chief Minister said that these relations are already strong and growing, adding that several well-known companies of Japan have placed their trust in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of state government, Punjab has emerged as most preferred investment destination across the globe. He also highlighted Punjab’s strategic location, seamless connectivity to NCR and major ports, strong industrial clusters, uninterrupted quality power supply, skilled workforce, and progressive policy ecosystem.

The Chief Minister also showcased the state’s governance and regulatory reforms, including the FastTrack Punjab single-window system offering 173+ G2B services, auto-deemed approvals, PAN-based business identifiers, and amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Act enabling time-bound in-principle approvals. He also highlighted Punjab’s industrial infrastructure adding that over Rs 1.4 lakh crore of on ground investments which have already been facilitated through Invest Punjab. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his vision is simple and clear to make Punjab a preferred destination for global industry by offering stability in policy, speed in decision-making, and a governance system that respects the time and trust of investors.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab’s approach is based on partnership and working closely with industry, by understanding their needs and ensure that government acts as a catalyst of growth. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has strengthened its infrastructure, expanded its industrial capacity and opened new avenues for investment. He said that partnership between government and industry is key to success and the state government firmly believes that industrial growth can only be achieved when we work as equal partners.

The Chief Minister said that this principle guides New Industrial Policy of state introduced in 2022, which was shaped in consultation with industry leaders and stakeholders, ensuring that it caters to their needs and aspirations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the state government has created 24 sectoral committees chaired by the captains of industry to formulate sector specific policies

adding that such initiatives help create visibility for Punjab in North India by sharing our success stories and long-term vision, as we invite potential investors and partners to be part of Punjab’s growth story leading up to 2035. He also held a series of high-level meetings in Osaka today, including discussions with Air Water Inc. on opportunities in industrial gases and engineering solutions.

Likewise, the Chief Minister also had an official interaction with the Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) to explore trade, technology and SME collaboration. He also had a meeting with Tokushima Auction Market and Global Venture Co., Ltd. on agri-market modernization and supply-chain partnerships. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to learn that well-attended Osaka Business Roadshow and Reception, witnessed the presence of senior Japanese dignitaries including the Director General, JETRO, Deputy Director General, Department of Commerce, Industry & Labor, Osaka Prefectural Government, and Director General, International Affairs Department, METI Kansai and others.

The Chief Minister also extended an invitation to investors to participate in the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, on March 13-15, 2026 at the Indian School of Business, Mohali for encouraging deeper engagement and expanded investments. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the summit will showcase Punjab’s progress, bring together leading industrial players, and present new opportunities for partnership and collaboration. He expressed hope that Japanese investors will join this summit in a big way and further accelerate the industrial development of the state.

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PUNJAB & IIT MADRAS JOIN HANDS TO TRAIN SCHOOL TEACHERS AS CAREER MENTOR

• First state to introduce initiative to train over 5K teachers for future ready students, says Harjot Singh Bains

• Teachers to gain access to Top 100 high-demand careers & global trends: Bains

Chandigarh, December 5:Punjab has taken a lead across the country by collaborating with the IIT Madras Pravartak to roll out statewide career guidance program to create a structure where every teacher becomes a trained career mentor.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said that over 5,000 teachers will be trained to guide students towards informed, future-ready career choices under the ambitious teachers-upskilling program.

S. Bains stated that the program will offer teachers free online training in foundational career counselling, skills for classroom sessions and one-on-one guidance. They will gain access to top 100 high-demand careers, structured assessment tools and a comprehensive guidance framework aligned with emerging national and global career trends. IIT Madras Pravartak will provide continuous academic support and digital resources.

"Our goal with this collaboration is to make a meaningful impact by enabling teachers to serve as effective career mentors in their schools. Through this engagement teachers will serve as the backbone of a structured career guidance ecosystem”, S. Bains stated, while adding that now, Punjab becomes the first state to implement a state-level career counselling guidance program for teachers.

S. Harjot Singb Bains said that once trained, teachers will be equipped to help students identify their strengths, explore new-age professions and choose pathways grounded in evidence and aptitude — not guesswork or hearsay.

Dr Amarpal Singh , Chairman PSEB added that this nitiative is expected to particularly benefit students in rural and underserved areas, offering them access to high-quality guidance that was earlier limited to private counsellors. Over the next few months, thousands of teachers will acquire new skills, new confidence and a new ability to shape the futures of lakhs of children.

Expressing happiness over the partnership with PSEB, Chief Knowledge Officer of IIT Madras Pravartak Mr Srikanth said, “Our aim is simple — no child in Punjab should make a career choice in confusion or without the right information.”

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