BCIC and Osaka Ink MoU for SME and Startup Exchanges

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) and the City of Osaka have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new milestone in bilateral collaboration between India and Japan. This significant agreement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for dynamic state-prefecture partnerships to strengthen trade, technology, manufacturing and cultural links.

The MoU is designed to connect Karnataka’s vibrant start-up ecosystem with Osaka’s renowned expertise in manufacturing and innovation. This collaboration is expected to unlock new opportunities for joint ventures, knowledge exchange and technology transfer, fostering a mutually supportive ecosystem. The partnership will promote exchanges between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourage collaborations between the startup ecosystems of both regions. The MoU is centered on two primary objectives such as promoting SME exchanges with major trade emphasis, especially for manufacturing and fostering collaborations between start-up ecosystems to drive innovation.

The partnership is designed for ongoing review, with regular dialogue and the development of specific exchange projects through mutual cooperation.

"The MOU between BCIC and Osaka is a significant milestone," said Mr. K Ravi, Officiating President of the BCIC. "We look forward to building a mutually supportive ecosystem, based on Osaka’s manufacturing strengths and Karnataka’s vibrant start-up ecosystem. This partnership is about creating a bridge between innovation and industrial production, where our start-ups can scale with Osaka's manufacturing prowess and their industries can modernize with our technological agility. It is a powerful synergy designed to drive growth and create a new model for bilateral prosperity."

Reflecting the broader ‘state-prefecture permanent initiative,’ this partnership is expected to accelerate the creation of new industries, skill development and market expansion. 

The BCIC-Osaka agreement will drive this vision forward through practical, on-the-ground activities.

Both BCIC and Osaka anticipate that their joint efforts will strengthen international collaboration, support bilateral trade and catalyze innovation, setting a new template for state-prefecture-led growth in both countries.