PR 99548

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/

    Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Government of

Maharashtra, today announced that the State of Maharashtra and Wakayama

Prefecture of Japan had completed ten years of cordial relations and are now

renewing the relationship. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri

Eknath Shinde signed the MoU renewal agreement with the Hon'ble Governor of

Wakayama, Mr. Kishimoto Shuhei, in the presence of the Hon'ble Deputy Chief

Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha,

Minister of Tourism, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Women & Child

Development, GoM, and other esteemed dignitaries on Friday, February 3, 2023.

    The MoU renewal signing ceremony was attended by a delegation of 58

representatives, including Wakayama officials, Trade & Business delegates, Sumo

Wrestlers, other Wrestlers, etc. A special event was also organized to

highlight Maharashtra's Kusti and Wakayama's Sumo forms of wrestling. The MoU

between the two is renewed for the next five years- until Oct 2028.

    The event commenced with the inaugural address by Shri Saurabh Vijay, IAS,

Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, welcoming the

delegates and introducing this relationship.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri

Eknath Shinde, stated, "It is an auspicious occasion as we mark a decade of

friendly relations of Maharashtra and Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. We look

forward to strengthening this relationship with mutual understanding and

learning with the exchange of ideas in the areas of tourism, agro-industries,

food processing, and other avenues with a shared interest."

    In his address, the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri

Devendra Fadnavis, highlighted, "The cordial relations between Maharashtra and

Wakayama Prefecture of Japan have flourished in a decade. I consider myself

fortunate to witness it closely. It is an honour that Bharat Ratna Dr.

Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue is installed at Koyasan University in Wakayama. We

have always focused on cross-cultural relations and holistic development

through cooperation."

    Emphasizing the ten years of bilateral ties between Maharashtra and

Wakayama Prefecture of Japan, the Hon'ble Governor of Wakayama, Mr. Kishimoto

Shuhei, said, "I'm delighted to be a part of this MoU renewal ceremony, marking

10 years of a strong friendship with Maharashtra. The friendly relations

between Maharashtra and Wakayama started in 2013, and since then the relations

between the two have grown stronger. It is our honor to have the statue of

Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar installed at Koyasan University in

Wakayama. During the ceremony, we witnessed traditional games of both sides

'Kusti' and 'Sumo'; we look forward to strengthening our ties in sports as

well."

    The Hon'ble Minister for Tourism, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and

Women & Child Development GoM, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, highlighting the

potential of Maharashtra in the sector of Tourism, said, "As a part of the

bilateral ties between Maharashtra and Wakayama, several initiatives have taken

place over last ten years that has contributed to the various sectors including

tourism of Maharashtra. The most notable amongst many is as installation of

Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in Koyasan University Wakayama

signifies the deepening relations."

    The Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis,

visited Wakayama for the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's Statue

installation ceremony, Tourism roadshow, industrial and business meetings in

Tokyo and Osaka in 2015. A Maharashtrian cultural program at Ginza Square was

also held with the help of Wakayama.

    MTDC has always served as the nodal agency to promote cordial relations.

Over ten years, many projects in tourism were conducted with enthusiasm between

MTDC and Wakayama prefecture of Japan, such as Yashada training in Wakayama for

civic officers from Maharashtra, Omotenashi Japanese Hospitality Training for

MTDC & ASI, Heritage Education for School Children, Japanese Guide training,

MoU between Hongu Visitor Centre in Wakayama and Ajanta Visitor Centre, Ajanta

near Aurangabad, MoU between Koyasan University & Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

University Aurangabad, MTDC information office was opened in Tokyo and Wakayama

office in Aurangabad and Mumbai under MTDC, officers are deputed from Wakayama

to these offices, familiarization tours for Travel Agents through exchange

program wherein travel agents from Maharashtra visited Wakayama and travel

agents from Wakayama visited Maharashtra, participation in Tourism promotion

shows, etc.

    The MoU has helped good relations between the states, cross-cultural

understanding, promotion of Tourism, best practices training, and bilateral

ties in general. It has been hailed as one of the most successful MoUs in Japan

with an Indian State.

    The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Smt. Shraddha Joshi

Sharma, Managing Director, MTDC.

    The Kusti and Sumo Wrestling demonstration matches were the special

attraction of the event.

    About MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation)

    A responsible government company, we at MTDC are dedicated to expanding

tourism in Maharashtra. We efficiently manage numerous well-established resorts

and restaurants all across the state. Offering heritage walks, adventure

activities, and aquatic sports, along with interesting tour packages, we give

you the opportunity to explore the riches of this state to the fullest.

Embracing Maharashtra's cultural heritage, our resorts are well-known for

offering comfortable rooms with exclusive views, while our restaurants

specialize in the preparation and service of a variety of local dishes of the

area. Taking tremendous pride in preserving the environment, our teams run the

resorts by providing employment opportunities for the locals, encouraging them

to be a part of our efforts in giving every customer a delightful experience.

    Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1998423/MoU_renewal_signing.jpg

    Source: Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)