Uttar Pradesh, Yamanashi seal partnership with ₹600-crore MSME fund

Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture have formalized a strategic partnership through four memoranda of understanding, marking a significant step in enhancing economic cooperation between the Indian state and the Japanese region. The collaboration framework includes the establishment of a ₹600-crore dedicated fund aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uttar Pradesh.

As part of the pact, Invest UP, the state's investment promotion agency, will establish a dedicated Yamanashi Desk to facilitate seamless coordination and expedite business transactions between the two regions. The institutional arrangement is designed to streamline processes and reduce friction in project development and implementation.

The partnership also envisages regular coordination mechanisms involving JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), two key Japanese development and trade institutions. These channels are expected to bridge gaps between dialogue and implementation phases of collaborative projects.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath underscored that the multi-pronged approach—combining dedicated funding, institutional support, and regular coordination—would accelerate the transition from policy discussions to ground-level execution. The move reflects broader efforts to attract Japanese investment and technology to India's most populous state, particularly in the MSME sector which constitutes a critical component of the state's economic growth strategy.