She made the announcement at a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano after signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Singapore company Ascendas on one side and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau on the other for setting up of an integrated industrial township at an outlay of around Rs. 3,500 crore.

Assuring the delegation of her government's full support to the existing and new units from Japan, she said proactive steps are being taken towards making Tamil Nadu regain its top position in the country.

Expressing her happiness that 35 per cent of Japanese industries in India are located in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa said the state, apart from housing companies like Toshiba, Nissan, Mistubishi, Komatsu and Asahi Glass, also has several small and medium sized industries from Japan.

She said the state has set up a joint working committee (JWC) to evolve a new framework of dialogue on issues like social developmental, cultural and educational exchanges, improvement of investment climate and business environment including infrastructure.

With the Japanese industries expressing their concern about the poor infrastructure in the Ennore area, Jayalalithaa said the state highways department is undertaking a study to form a separate road called the Northern Port Access Road.

The Ennore Port authorities are also taking steps to complete the dredging work expeditiously, she added.

“Developing the infrastructure and improving the connectivity between Chennai and Bengaluru are high on the agenda of both the State and Central Governments. A Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan will soon be drafted to work on it,” she said.

Another MoU was signed between Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau and JETRO for setting up a business support centre here to support Japanese companies planning to invest in the state.