From left to right: Mr Omar Shahzad, CEO of Meinhardt Group; Mr Tatsuhiko Takesada, President and CEO of Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN); Mr Ogasawara Kenichi (online), Deputy Minister for International Projects, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT). (Picture: Meinhardt)
Singapore-headquartered engineering consulting firm Meinhardt has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN) to jointly explore and deliver digital and smart city projects in third-world Asean countries, according to a Jan 17 release.
Under the MOU, the parties aim to advance innovative and sustainable urban solutions through the exchange of knowledge and resources. JOIN is expected to utilise its network and expertise in supporting Japanese infrastructure exports, while Meinhardt will employ its leadership in integrated planning, design and project management solutions, adds the group.
JOIN is a Japanese public-private fund that helps Japanese companies invest in overseas infrastructure projects.
The collaboration comes on the back of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise last November to foster the development of digital and smart cities in Asean and other regions.
Building on this framework, Meinhardt says the MOU will provide a platform for both parties to “share information, identify synergies, and collaborate on projects from the early stages to drive meaningful impact across borders”.