Mann Touts Japan, South Korea Investor Interest as Opposition Demands Proof

Overview

• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann briefed media after returning from a 10-day outreach to Japan and South Korea, calling investor response overwhelming for the state's industrial push.
• Mann cited expressions of interest or continued discussions with JBIC, Honda, Yamaha, NEC, Toray, Fujitsu, Aisan Industry, JICA and Seoul Business Agency, with several firms invited to the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit set for March 13–15, 2026.
• A non-binding memorandum of understanding was announced between Toppan and Invest Punjab to work on a Skilling Excellence Centre aligned with industry needs.
• Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the trip's tangible outcomes, pressing for project-wise timelines, job numbers and environmental and social impact disclosures to verify which announcements will become on-ground projects.
• Mann also attacked opponents over Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s 'Rs 500 crore' remark about the chief minister’s post, which led to her suspension from the Punjab Congress.