Meghalaya Seeks Partnership with Japan, Says Conrad Sangma

Guwahati/Shillong, Feb 7 (NationPress) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Friday that the state has embarked on initiatives to foster collaboration and partnerships with Japan, capitalizing on India’s robust bilateral ties with the East Asian country.

"We strongly believe in building a solid partnership, trust, and rapport with Japan. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made every effort to ensure that the groundwork laid between our nations leads to mutual economic prosperity," the Chief Minister stated while speaking at the 5th India-Japan Conclave in Guwahati.

The Chief Minister noted that the Prime Minister’s vision has motivated Meghalaya to harness the potential of its strong bilateral relations with Japan.

"Although we may not be a large state, we possess unique strengths and opportunities. Our focus is on progressing in our distinctive manner. We aim to execute a few initiatives, but we will execute them effectively," he emphasized.

While addressing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) designed to bolster economic relations between the two nations by enhancing trade and investment, the Chief Minister highlighted that the state has opened doors for its youth to receive training for job opportunities in Japan. He underscored that the youth of Meghalaya represent its greatest asset.

Beginning with a small group of recruited nurses, the state is now setting ambitious goals to train up to 3,000 nurses in the coming years.

"Initially, when recruitment agencies sought to employ nurses from Meghalaya, the youth were hesitant, parents expressed concerns about safety, and many were apprehensive about the costs associated with Japanese language training," Sangma explained, adding that the state government is now offering financial aid for training and ensuring the safety of youth recruited by agencies to work in Japan’s healthcare sector.

"At first, the youth lacked trust in the recruiting agencies due to the high training costs. The state government intervened to mitigate this issue. We are now covering the training expenses and ensuring the safety of our youth," he remarked.

"I personally traveled to Japan to accompany the first batch. Currently, 50 nurses from the state are employed across various regions of Japan, and 500 are in the process of learning Japanese. This number is projected to grow to 3,000, potentially reaching 5,000 in the next four to five years," the Chief Minister added.

He also mentioned that the state is investigating opportunities and collaborations in fields beyond nursing to send its human resources to Japan.

"Meghalaya boasts a youthful population, with nearly 45 percent under the age of 19. This is our strength, and we are dedicated to providing our youth with chances to explore opportunities both nationally and internationally," the CM concluded.