Japan to support smart city projects in ASEAN

VGP - The Japanese Government is set to establish a fund worth JPY 250 billion (some US$2.4 billion) to support Japanese companies' "smart-city" projects and to help further decarbonization measures in Viet Nam and other Southeast Asian nations, reported the Nikkei Asia.

December 18, 2020 6:04 PM GMT+7

Japan will support firms engaging in smart city building in Viet Nam

In line with the scheme, Japanese companies are scheduled to participate in smart city projects in 26 cities throughout 10 ASEAN members, including Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City of Viet Nam, Jakarta (Indonesia), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

Japan will ask 26 cities to present plans for developing smart cities by the end of this year and is planning to select eligible projects by spring. The government expects Japanese companies to work out basic plans for the selected cities and conduct feasibility studies.

Among Japanese companies to be involved in the projects are Tokyu Group that has previous involvement in the southern province of Binh Duong, while a consortium of companies based in Yokohama has participated in a project in the Thai province of Chonburi.

Through the establishment of the fund, the Japanese Government hopes to compete with foreign rivals such as China and the Republic of Korea in implementing a range of smart city projects throughout Southeast Asia.

By Vien Nhu