Fujitsu inked a MOU with Saudi Arabia as Part of an Overseas Infrastructure Export Initiative of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Fujitsu today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON) to commence a collaborative smart communities project in MODON's industrial areas. With the local initiative led by Fujitsu Arabia, Fujitsu begins this global smart community business in Saudi Arabia based upon cutting-edged ICT, and environmental and power-saving technologies. Fujitsu will first carry out a feasibility study during FY2011 and FY2012, after which the company plans to roll out full-scale development of the project. In October 2011, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) selected this study as a “Feasibility Study for the Overseas Development of Smart Communities and Other Projects.” This is one part of an initiative for METI's “Promotion of Export of Infrastructure-related Industries and Systems.” With METI's support, the project is expected to become a model case for the export of infrastructure systems through public-private collaboration. During the new project, Fujitsu will promote the development of smart communities in Saudi Arabia's industrial areas with a focus on both the environment and energy. The project will include installing environmental management systems along with energy management systems to optimize energy usage. Saudi Arabia is currently taking aggressive measures to promote the country's industrialization, and the industrial areas distributed across Saudi Arabia in principal cities such as Riyadh and Dammam are playing a central role in these efforts. At the same time, addressing environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, which often accompany rapid industrialization, has become an urgent challenge. In 2010, Fujitsu began discussions with MODON to develop eco-friendly industrial areas, and in March 2011, Fujitsu took its first on-site tours. With MODON's strong commitment to preserving the environment, in September 2011 Fujitsu signed a memorandum of understanding with the Director General of MODON to collaborate in the development of eco-friendly areas. In October 2011, Fujitsu's eco-friendly industrial areas proposal based on the use of cutting-edged IT and environmental technology was adopted by METI as a “Feasibility Study for the Overseas Development of Smart Communities”. Toward the next step of the project, MODON and Fujitsu agreed to sign an additional MOU for environmental management systems and smart community collaboration. With the aim of expanding its business in Saudi Arabia, in September 2011 Fujitsu established Fujitsu Arabia as a joint venture with a local partner Almisehal Group. ** Press release BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/l4lVt Tags: Development, Fujitsu Section: Saudi Arabia, Tech
