PH eyed as significant player in Hitachi’s overseas expansion

Under its 2018 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi targets to increase its overseas sales ratio in the ASEAN region to more than 55%, with the Philippines playing an “instrumental role” in the scheme, Mitsuhiko Shimizu, General Manager of Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine Branch told reporters yesterday (Feb. 20, 2017).

Significantly, Hitachi is interested in Clark and Subic infrastructure projects, specifically the North Rail, which will be funded via Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

“We are just waiting for the PreQualification (which is expected be out) by end-2017,” he elaborated.

The company is likewise interested in the Clark Railway linking Clark to Tarlac as well as the proposed subway project in Metro Manila, along with energy management initiatives and the provision of urban development solutions.

In addition, Hitachi is expanding its 3,000 workforce in its Philippine Engineering Office by 100 to 200 people within the next five years, according to Shimizu.

“We will continue to increase the number of our workforce. Society is aging and we want to collaborate with the young excellent human resources here.”

The Tokyo-based Hitachi Group is a global leader in the Social Innovation Business, employing 335,000 people worldwide. Hitachi, Ltd. hauled in USD$88.8 billion consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2015 (ended March 31, 2016).

Subsidiary Hitachi Asia Ltd., has offices across seven Asean countries - Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

It provides solutions to customers in Power, Energy, Industry, Distribution, Water, Urban Development and Finance, Government and Public sectors as well as Healthcare.

“With the Philippines’ rapid economic growth, urban development has been identified as an important growth engine for the country. However, urban development must be both sustainable and environment-friendly for it to be able to improve the quality of life over time,” Shimizu remarked.