In partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, DSG successfully concluded an evening seminar highlighting facets of Japan’s new economic growth strategy through the deployment of “green” technology-integrated infrastructure across the Middle East. The lecture was sponsored by the Kanoo Group, a Gulf-based multinational group of companies with over 100 years of entrepreneurial experience and a commitment to community, diversity and environment.

 

Tadashi Maeda, Head of Corporate Planning at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan, addressed the attendees.

 

In his talk, Maeda outlined the “packaged approach” that Japan has adopted globally and hopes to roll out in the Middle East, in response to Japanese bidders losing ground to rivals from Korea, China and India. The strategy combines several related businesses to offer the overall operation and maintenance services of integrated systems, instead of simply exporting goods and services. Maeda explained that the packaged solution approach involves elements of nuclear power, renewable energy, efficient thermal power, efficient power transmission, intelligent transport systems, electric-hybrid vehicles, efficient manufacturing, rechargeable batteries, and energy-saving home appliances.

 

He also emphasized the growing need for integrated infrastructure solutions such as high-speed railways, and the establishment of environmentally friendly nuclear power plants (NPP) in the Middle East similar to those in France, the US and Russia.

 

HE Tariq Lootah, Executive President of the Dubai School of Government, said: “Eco-friendly infrastructure and intelligent transport systems help to build a strong, sustainable foundation for future growth and national development. Dubai and the UAE can benefit by learning from Japan’s experiences in these areas.”

 

Takeshi Maeda said: “Integrated projects are generally long term, of large volume, involve higher levels of uncertainty and require political commitment from vendor countries. However, the outputs are of far greater value and need to be promoted in the Middle East through generating better understanding among decision makers.”

 

Elaborating on the growing need for adopting nuclear energy, which greatly reduces harmful carbon emissions, he cited the unfortunate Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan and stressed the importance of maintaining higher safety levels without completely avoiding NPP.

 

Tadashi Maeda holds over 30 years of experience in international finance, and has served as the Resident Representative in Washington DC and Negotiator for the OECD, the IMF and the World Bank. He has also been assigned to posts in several universities, including the John Hopkins University.