Special focus on Naxal-hit areas in industrial policy: Chhattisgarh CM

Days after returning from Japan and South Korea, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai speaks to Archis Mohan at Chhattisgarh Sadan in New Delhi about the agreements signed to boost investment in the state, his government's plan to create a State Capital Region (SCR), efforts to plug revenue leakages, and preparations to mark 25 years of the state's creation on November 1. Edited excerpts:

- 

What have been the gains from your visit to Japan and South Korea?

It was a highly productive visit. We set up the Chhattisgarh Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo 2025 from August 24 to 30, which attracted a daily footfall of around 30,000 visitors. We showcased the state's new industrial policy and presented our signature products, including Dokra metal craft, Kosa handicrafts, silk products, and the Buddhist heritage of Sirpur. We also organised investor-connect sessions in Tokyo and Seoul, where discussions covered sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, food processing, and skill development.

Six agreements were signed, including one focused on skilling. Japan is keen to conduct skilling courses in Chhattisgarh, and a Japanese delegation is expected to visit the state later this month. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan, the country committed 10 trillion yen ($67 billion) in private investment in India over the next decade and announced a roadmap for talent mobility, including the placement of 50,000 skilled personnel from India to Japan. Additionally, Osaka-based Sartaj Foods will set up a food processing unit in the state. I also met the president of Morabu Hanshin Company to discuss collaboration in skill training and workforce exchange, as well as representatives of the Japan External Trade Organisation.

What are the highlights of the new industrial policy?