JETRO Topics
“New Clark City with Japan” Seminar held in Philippines
November 2018
On November 21, JETRO jointly held the “New Clark City with Japan Seminar - Creating a Smart City with the High Quality Infrastructure” with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in Manila, the Philippines. The seminar, which was aimed to encourage Japanese companies to participate in the development project for New Clark City (NCC), located approximately 120km northwest of Manila, was joined by eight ministers and five high-ranking officials from relevant organizations, including Finance Secretary Calrol Dominguez from the Philippine side and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Hiroto Izumi, who gave the keynote speech on behalf of the Japanese government. In addition, presentations were made by five representatives from Japanese companies and institute active in the smart-city field. The seminar was joined by more than 300 people.
In his opening remarks, JETRO Executive Vice President Yasukazu Irino expressed his hope that the Philippines will grow in the future in terms of the market and business on urban development. He promised that JETRO will continue contributing to the economic development of the Philippines, as it has been doing for over 60 years since the establishment of JETRO Manila such as through assisting Japanese companies in entering the country.
VIPs photo session
Following that, on behalf of the Philippine government, Finance Secretary Dominguez expressed his desire for development at a higher level by taking advantage of strengths possessed by companies from both countries, saying, "Cooperation between Japan and the Philippines is imperative to realize the New Clark City (NCC) development project on which President Rodrigo Duterte has placed priority.”
President Vivencio Dizon of the BCDA announced several construction projects by 2022; such as for large-scale complex facilities, international airports and railways; based on the master plan of the NCC development project.
JETRO Excutive Vice President Irino
Philippine Finance Secretary Dominguez
BCDA President Dizon
Presentations were delivered by five companies and institutes from Japan on the following topics pertinent to the urban development to be undertaken:
- Urban Renaissance Agency: Examples of urban development based on efficient placement of public transportation, such as in the Yokohama Minato Mirai district
- Hitachi: Urban development projects, including advanced medical services at Kashiwanoha Smart City
- NEC: How to create safer cities with ICT technology in relation to disasters, accidents and crime
- Tokyo Gas: Efficient use and stable supply of energy consumed in cities and environmental considerations
- SoftBank: An experimental project for a new transportation system combining electric vehicles and IT technology
Q&A session
In the following Q&A session, to the question "Are the presenters competing with each other or working together in this development project?" Akihiko Tobe from Hitachi replied: "While cooperation might be difficult if looking at technology alone, we will be able to work together if prioritizing solutions to social issues." The following strong requests toward Japanese companies came from audience members: "In addition to the NCC, we would also like Japanese technologies to be introduced to Manila with its concentrated population," and "We want Japanese companies to not only export technologies but also share best practices with us through collaboration with local regions and education."
The final speaker, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Izumi, wrapped up the seminar with his keynote speech regarding urban development utilizing Japan’s experience and knowledge garnered from its period of high economic growth to the present. Citing actual examples, he spoke from five perspectives which the Japanese government has determined to be essential elements of smart cities: transportation, symbiosis with nature, energy conservation, security and recycling. He finished by saying that the Japanese government will apply a variety of support tools as it proactively contributes to urban development projects in the Philippines and other countries.
In fields related to smart cities, JETRO has until now held seminars in Thailand and assisted Japanese companies in matching with overseas companies and implementing pilot projects. In the fields of urban development (development of smart cities) and the development of industrial parks, JETRO will continue to support Japanese companies in expanding sales channels for their products and services overseas by holding seminars, dispatching missions and assisting participation in trade fairs.
Special Advisor to the PM Izumi
JETRO Director-General Murahashi
Outline of the seminar
| Title | New Clark City with Japan Seminar - Creating a Smart City with High Quality Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Thursday, November 21, 2018, 15:00 – 20:00 |
| Venue | Philippine International Convention Center (Manila) |
| Organizers | JETRO, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) |
| Supporters |
(Japan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN), (The Philippines) Department of Finance, Makati Business Club (MBC), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI) |
| Participants | 323 people (185 from Philippines side, 130 from Japan side and eight from media outlets) |
| Program |
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