By Kristin Mae Cortez and Aletha Jasmine Dela Cruz
Japanese conglomerate Hitachi Ltd. offers assistance in the Philippines to modernize its cities.
“What kind of society do you want to live in?” Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine Branch general manager Mitsuhiko Shimizu asked during the third Hitachi Social Innovation Forum at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.
Shimizu said the company was seeking to overcome challenges in Manila such as traffic, pollution and disasters over the next 20 to 30 years.
Through the forum, Hitachi aimed to increase awareness of the company’s social innovation business in the Philippines, which combines information technology, operational technology and products/systems to its customers, business partners and major stakeholders.
The third forum focused on Hitachi’s commitment to develop smart and sustainable cities for the country’s inclusive growth and development through areas such as energy management and more.
Hitachi is expanding its presence in Asia to increase the share of its overseas sales to 55 percent by 2018. Shimizu said the Philippines would play an instrumental role in helping Hitachi achieve the target by focusing on energy management, railway and urban development solutions in addition to its high functional materials and ICT businesses.
Shimizu said the company decided two years ago to focus on the Philippine market, helping transform former military bases into a smart city using innovations.
“Through the Hitachi Social Innovation Forum and the company’s social innovation business, we aim to contribute to the Philippines’ growth trajectory in an inclusive and sustainable manner,” said Shimizu.
“With our unique competencies in IT and OT, as well as our proven experience in the global market, we are confident that we can leverage our expertise and be an innovative partner for both the public and private sectors working in areas such as railway systems, energy management, security solutions, IoT solutions among others,” he said.
Following the first Hitachi Social Innovation Forum in February 2016, the second forum in February 2017, and the third in June 2017, the company plans to hold the next Hitachi Social Innovation Forum in September 2017.
