Japanese Delegation from AOTS Visits CICU for Strategic Industrial Interaction and Future Collaboration

Ludhiana, August 6, 2025: A high-level delegation from The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), Japan, visited the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) today for a meaningful industrial interaction with prominent stakeholders from Ludhiana’s manufacturing and MSME sectors.
The delegation was led by Rika Iyadomi, Senior Official from AOTS Japan, and Rakesh Kumar Gupta, President of AOTS Alumni Society, Delhi. The purpose of the visit was to foster bilateral industrial cooperation, explore local industry challenges, and evaluate the potential of technical collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
During the meeting, Upkar Singh Ahuja, President of CICU and CMD of New Swan Group, highlighted the need for localized technical training programs inspired by Japanese methodologies. He proposed that AOTS consider conducting specialized training programs at CICU, as many entrepreneurs and professionals from India are unable to travel to Japan due to logistical or financial constraints.
"AOTS’s globally respected training system is a valuable resource for our industrial ecosystem. By bringing AOTS-style training modules to Ludhiana, we can upgrade technical skills, managerial practices, and productivity standards at the grassroots level," said Sh. Ahuja.
In response, the AOTS team appreciated CICU’s forward-looking approach and assured that they would explore the possibility of initiating training programs in India, starting with Ludhiana as a pilot city.
The interaction also included discussions on enhancing lean manufacturing practices, implementation of Japanese Kaizen and 5S principles in MSMEs, possibilities of joint certification programs and technical internships and student-industry exchange programs.
The event witnessed the presence of several leading industrialists and CICU office bearers, including J.R. Singhal, Chairman, Eastman Industries; Honey Sethi, General Secretary, CICU; J.S. Bhogal, Organising Secretary, CICU; Ajay Bharti, Finance Secretary, CICU; Gautam Malhotra, Vice President, CICU; Saravjit Singh, Convener, Export Committee, CICU; and Members of the CICU Steering Committee and senior industry professionals.
The delegation also took a brief tour of Ludhiana’s industrial belt to understand the manufacturing infrastructure and MSME ecosystem. They expressed appreciation for CICU’s continued efforts in facilitating international linkages for the growth of the local industry.
This collaborative engagement between AOTS and CICU sets a strong foundation for future partnerships aimed at enhancing industrial up skilling, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.