MANILA, Philippines -- Last week, the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael S. Klecheski joined U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Kumar; Deputy Minister Yasuki Kaibori from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and Tourism; Minister for Economic Affairs Makoto Iyori from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines; and Government of the Philippines officials led by Secretary Rogelio Singson from the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Andre Palacios, Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines, at the first U.S. – Japan Joint Infrastructure Seminar in Manila.

The event, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, was focused on visions and best practices in infrastructure business development in the Philippines and on ways the U.S. and Japan can cooperate to provide high-quality technology and services in the Philippines.

“A primary motivation of both the U.S. and Japanese governments is that we and our companies share a commitment to delivering quality infrastructure,” Assistant Secretary Kumar remarked. “These solutions are reliable and long lasting and provide the best life-cycle value.”

Deputy Minister Kaibori remarked that there are many opportunities in the Philippines for the United States and Japan to offer complimentary technology and services in infrastructure development.

“The strategic and commercial relationships between our three nations are very strong,” said Deputy Minister Kaibori. “I’m pleased that our three countries have come together for this conference to share values on quality infrastructure.”

Over170 participants from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines attended this event, which featured presentations by DPWH and the PPP Center on the strategic vision for infrastructure in the Philippines. Speakers from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA, USAID, and the American Chamber of Commerce shared infrastructure visions, policies, and best practices. In addition, U.S. and Japanese firms gave presentations on the complimentary technology and services that they can provide in the transportation, energy, and ICT sectors.

As next steps, the governments of the United States and Japan plan to follow up with private sector partners on how to continue collaborating in this important sector.