By IANS,
Kochi : A delegation of experts from the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, a Tokyo-based industry forum that promotes ocean-related research and maritime technology development, Thursday visited the Cochin port here and held discussions with officials.
Cochin Port Trust chairman N. Ramachandran and senior officers working with the maritime development projects at the port took part in the meeting.
The shipping ministry facilitated the visit as a sequel to the Expert Conference on Japan-India Maritime Economic Cooperation, held in Tokyo in February 2008.
The conference noted that development of ports and harbours in India would boost the economy and development of maritime infrastructure should be the main agenda for promoting bilateral maritime economic cooperation between India and Japan.
The Japanese delegation is also visiting the ports in Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Tuticorin.
According to Ramachandran, the Japanese team will assess the potentials of the four ports on the southern coast.
A report by the expert team, comprising their evaluations and proposals, will be provided as an informative reference to the Japanese maritime industries sector.
The findings will also be submitted for discussion in the next meeting on the India-Japan Maritime Economic Cooperation.
The Japanese team is led by Yutaka Fukushima, a senior researcher at Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of Japan.