Japanese engineering firm opens office in Vientiane
Japanese engineering firm opens office in Vientiane
Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Ltd (NSC), one of the world's largest engineering firms, opened a representative office in Vientiane last Friday.
The opening ceremony was attended by Vientiane Mayor Mr Soukanh Mahalath, NSC President Mr Yasuhiko Nomura, Chief Representative of JICA to Laos Mr Masato Togawa and other officials from Laos and Japan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Nomura commented that the global economy has undergone rapid change and fluctuations, reflecting various underlying issues.
Many developed countries are now experiencing an economic downturn, while developing countries are eyeing a bright future amid strong economic growth.
“In the midst of this economic upswing, companies running businesses in Japan are showing more and more interest in that market,” he said.
Mr Nomura said NSC applies all its abilities in terms of technical experience to urban development, the environment, and infrastructure – areas in which it offers assistance for global socio-economic development.
“Of the Nikken Group, NSC is the first company to step into the international market and is conducting many projects, so we decided to open a representative office in Vientiane,” he said.
Since 2010, NSC has implemented three projects in Vientiane: planning of the Nongping area development, planning for the That Luang marsh development, and development planning along 450 Year Road.
In December last year, the company carried out an urban development planning project in Vientiane province.
“However, these projects are in the planning stages, which it isn't real project implementation or clear design,” Mr Nomura said.
He said Laos and Japan have good relations in terms of their history and economies and 2012 is the 57th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
During the fourth Mekong-Japan Summit taking place in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday pledged to provide about 600 billion yen (US$7.4 billion) in official development assistance to the five Mekong basin nations over the next three years to boost the region's development.
It was recognised that the centrally located East-West Corridor which runs through Laos and will ultimately link Myanmar to Danang in Vietnam also has high potential for development.
“We intend to make the most benefit of the potential offered by agriculture, electricity, and bountiful natural resources in this region,” Mr Nomura said.
NSC will use all its abilities to carry out development projects and with the support of the Lao government and Japanese companies operating in Laos has decided to contribute to the development and growth of Laos.
vientiane times
