KOCHI: A 40-member delegation from Japan which included five Mayors, was given a rousing reception in Kochi on Friday.
The delegation held talks with Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany and other civic administrators. They informed their willingness to provide assistance for Kochi city projects in the areas of water quality, environment, disaster management and sewerage.
The delegation was led by Matsue city government Mayor Matsuura Masataka and was welcomed to the city by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor B Bhadra. Following this, in a meeting in the Corporation council hall, Rajan C, Director of Kochi corporation run Center for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-Hed), explained the projects piloted by Kochi Corporation in front of the foreign delegates. Later, a coordination committee was announced to strengthen the bonds between Kochi and the Japanese cities. The Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce will lead the initiatives on this regard.
The Mayor was advised by the former embassy officials of Japan in India on showcasing the best projects feasible for getting aid from Japan. Apart from Chammany, Masataka Matsuura, Yasuo Nozaka (Yonago city government Mayor), Hideto Nagaoka (Izumo city government Mayor), Hiroki Kondo (Yasugi city government Mayor), Katsugi Nakamura (Sakaiminato city government Mayor), standing committee heads at the local body and corporation secretary A S Anuja were present for the reception.