**Summary:**
A high-level delegation of leading Japanese companies, led by the Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Keiichi Ono, conducted an official visit to Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) on July 9-10, 2025. This visit underscored the growing industrial cooperation between India and Japan, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development. The delegation's visit included an on-ground tour of Dholera SIR, including its Water Treatment Plant, Canal Front Development, Power Substation, the Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication plant, and the ABCD Building, which houses the Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) and the Experience Centre.
The delegation received a briefing on the Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication facility, a project developed in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) of Taiwan, representing a key component of the Semicon India Programme and part of over ₹1.54 lakh crore in semiconductor-related investments in Gujarat. The delegation also reviewed Dholera's planned social infrastructure, including a multispecialty hospital, fire station, integrated school, premium guest house, and residential and commercial complexes.
The visit included a conference session in Ahmedabad on July 9, 2025, featuring remarks by Resident Executive Officer Regional Head for Asia Pacific, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Ms. Kazuko Sakuma, and Chief Representative, JETRO Ahmedabad, Mr. Yu Yoshida, as well as an address by Mrs. Mona K. Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat. Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO & MD, National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan. Ambassador Mr. Keiichi Ono reaffirmed Japan’s support for India’s economic transformation, particularly in semiconductors and smart cities.
Dholera SIR is envisioned as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and smart city development, with multimodal connectivity via the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway and the upcoming Greenfield International Airport. It is designed with plug-and-play industrial zones, real-time governance through the ICCC, and robust utility infrastructure, in alignment with India's Vision 2047.
Key Entities Referenced
Dholera Special Investment Region SIR: A greenfield smart industrial city in Gujarat, India, under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), emerging as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and smart city development.
Japan: A key partner with India in industrial cooperation, innovation, and investment, particularly in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the development of Dholera SIR.
Keiichi Ono: The Ambassador of Japan to India who led a high-level delegation of Japanese companies to visit Dholera Special Investment Region SIR.
DelhiMumbai Industrial Corridor DMIC: An industrial corridor project inspired by Japan's Tokyo-Osaka corridor, benefiting from Japanese collaboration and investment, and encompassing Dholera SIR.
Tata Electronics: An Indian company constructing a semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera SIR, in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) of Taiwan.
Semicon India Programme: A government initiative to promote semiconductor manufacturing in India, of which the Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera SIR is a key component.
Gujarat: The Indian state where Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is located, and where over 1.54 lakh crore in semiconductor related investments are underway.
National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation NICDC: An organization involved in the development of industrial corridors in India, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dholera SIR.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Ambassador of Japan leads high-level delegation to
Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR)
India–Japan Partnership Advances with Focus on
Semiconductor, Smart City Investment in Dholera
Dholera SIR emerging as a global hub for advanced
manufacturing and smart city development
Posted On: 10 JUL 2025 6:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Keiichi Ono, led a high-level delegation of leading Japanese
companies on an official visit to Dholera Special Investment Region (Dholera SIR), India’s greenfield smart
industrial city under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). The visit marked a significant milestone
in advancing industrial cooperation between India and Japan, built on shared values of innovation,
sustainability and inclusive development.
The two-day engagement commenced on 9th July 2025 with a conference session in Ahmedabad, followed by
a site visit to Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) on 10th July 2025. The Japanese delegation undertook
an on-ground tour of the city’s planned infrastructure and facilities, accompanied by officials from Dholera
Industrial City Development Ltd. (DICDL) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation
(NICDC). The site visits included the Water Treatment Plant, Canal Front Development, Power Substation,
the under-construction Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication plant, and the ABCD Building, which
houses the Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) and the Experience Centre.
The delegation was briefed on the Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication facility, being developed in
partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) of Taiwan. This project, a
key component of the Semicon India Programme, forms part of over ₹1.54 lakh crore in semiconductor-
related investments underway in Gujarat.
The delegation also reviewed Dholera’s planned social infrastructure—including a multi-specialty hospital,
fire station, integrated school, premium guest house, residential and commercial complexes, and hospitality
hubs—designed to make Dholera a fully livable and investor-ready smart city.
Dholera represents India’s Vision 2047 of becoming a developed, self-reliant, and innovation-driven
economy. With multimodal connectivity through the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway and the upcoming
Greenfield International Airport, plug-and-play industrial zones, real-time governance via ICCC, and robust
utility infrastructure, Dholera is envisioned as more than just an industrial base.
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The session held on the 9 July featured opening remarks by Resident Executive Officer & Regional Head for
Asia Pacific, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Ms. Kazuko Sakuma and Chief Representative,
JETRO Ahmedabad Mr. Yu Yoshida. Mrs. Mona K. Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science &
Technology, Government of Gujarat, also addressed the gathering.
Delivering the keynote address, CEO & MD, National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation
(NICDC), Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, underscored the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.He noted that the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), inspired by Japan’s Tokyo–Osaka corridor,
continues to benefit from Japanese collaboration and investment.
The session showcased presentations on India’s evolving industrial ecosystem and the emergence of Dholera
as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
A special address by Ambassador Mr. Keiichi Ono concluded the session, where he appreciated India’s vision
for semiconductors and smart cities, and reaffirmed Japan’s continued support in India’s economic
transformation. The day concluded with a networking dinner that fostered greater engagement between Indian
and Japanese stakeholders.
The visit by the Japanese delegation highlights Dholera’s rising global prominence and its potential to serve
as India’s gateway to advanced manufacturing. As India advances toward its goal of becoming a global
economic and technological leader by 2047, Dholera SIR stands as a model of integrated planning,
international cooperation, and futuristic infrastructure.
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Abhishek Dayal / Abhijith Narayanan / Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2143783)