Hitachi in talks with 2 Phl firms

SINGAPORE – Japan’s Hitachi Ltd. is in talks with two Filipino companies to offer information technology (IT) solutions and services.

“We are currently discussing with two big companies, conglomerates in the Philippines to provide various IT solutions,” Mitsuhisa Kajiyoshi, senior vice president and general manager for information and communications technology (ICT) business of Hitachi Asia Ltd. said in a briefing yesterday.

Kajiyoshi declined to name the companies but revealed that the two Filipino firms are engaged in  banking, hospital as well as other businesses.

He said Hitachi sees many opportunities to offer their services here particularly in management of big data.

“We have no target (for completion of discussions) but we are hopeful because we see many possibilities,” he said.

Hitachi is looking to expand its ICT business particularly for the financial sector in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), citing opportunities in the region.

With financial businesses expanding and increasing investments on advanced IT solutions in the ASEAN, the region is considered a growth area for Hitachi.

Hitachi currently provides IT solutions for the following ASEAN markets: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Takashi Hamazaki, senior director for global strategic planning of Hitachi,Ltd. Information & Telecommunications Systems Co., said the group would soon be offer its ICT solutions in Vietnam.

He added that the group is looking for opportunities in other markets in the region.

The conglomerate is looking to expand its ICT business in the region in line with its aim to grow revenues of that business segment.

In 2013, revenues from the ICT business reached almost $20 billion.

Kajiyoshi said Hitachi is aiming for a five percent growth in revenues from the ICT business to reach $21 billion by 2015.

“Of the five percent growth, 80 percent we will get from Asia, that is Asean including China and India,” he said.