Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt and Japan’s Tottori prefectural govt on Wednesday signed a friendship agreement to deepen cooperation in industry, entrepreneurship, skill development, tourism and culture, alongside two MoUs aimed at promoting startup links and creating training and employment opportunities for Odisha youths.Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Tottori governor Shinji Hirai signed the agreement at State Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan in the presence of around 80 Japanese delegates representing industry, technical institutions, banks and trade bodies.Majhi said the agreement would bring the people, businesses and institutions of Odisha and Tottori closer and sought greater Japanese participation in the state’s MSME, startup and industrial ecosystem.He said the partnership should result in business collaborations, jobs, student exchanges and stronger tourism and cultural ties. Majhi also highlighted the presence of Japanese companies such as Indo Nissin, Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Krosaki, TYK, Yokohama, IHI and Toray in Odisha.Hirai said Tottori was committed to building a long-term partnership with Odisha through greater economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and engagement between businesses and people. Of the two MoUs signed on the occasion, one between Startup Odisha and Tottori’s industry authorities seeks to facilitate business matchmaking, startup exchanges, accelerator programmes, mentoring and investor linkages. It will also explore opportunities for technology partnerships and access to new markets.The second MoU, involving Bhubaneswar’s World Skill Center, Tottori prefecture and Nihon Edutech, focuses on training Odisha youths for opportunities in Japan. It envisages vocational training tailored to the requirements of Tottori businesses, particularly in manufacturing and nursing care, along with Japanese-language training.Industries, skill development and technical education minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the collaboration would integrate industrial cooperation with skill development and create “global employment pathways” for the state’s youths.MSME minister Gokulananda Mallik said Odisha’s MSMEs and startups could explore technology partnerships, joint product development, manufacturing linkages and market access with businesses in Tottori.The broader friendship agreement also provides for cooperation in personnel and youth exchanges, tourism, culture and environment, besides promoting ties between small and medium enterprises and educational institutions in the two regions.