His comments came on the sidelines of a DSG seminar on Japan’s new economic growth strategy through the deployment of “green” technology-integrated infrastructure across the Middle East.

Organized in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, the event was sponsored by the Kanoo Group.

Tadashi Maeda, head of corporate planning at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and special adviser to the Cabinet of Japan, presided over the seminar.

In his talk, he outlined the “packaged approach” that Japan has adopted globally and hopes to roll out in the Middle East, in response to Japanese bidders losing ground to rivals from Korea, China and India.

The strategy combines several related businesses to offer the overall operation and maintenance services of integrated systems, instead of simply exporting goods and services.

Maeda said the packaged solution approach involves elements of nuclear power, renewable energy, efficient thermal power and transmission, intelligent transport systems, electric-hybrid vehicles, optimal manufacturing, rechargeable batteries, and energy-saving home appliances.

He also emphasized on the growing need for integrated infrastructure solutions such as high-speed railways and the establishment of environmentally friendly nuclear power plants (NPP) in the Middle East similar to those in France, the US and Russia.

Maeda added: “Integrated projects are generally long term, of large volume, involve higher levels of uncertainty and require political commitment from vendor countries. However, the outputs are of far greater value and need to be promoted in the Middle East through generating better understanding among decision makers.”

Elaborating on the growing need for adopting nuclear energy, which greatly reduces harmful carbon emissions, he cited the unfortunate Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan and stressed the importance of maintaining higher safety levels without completely avoiding NPP.

Maeda holds over 30 years of experience in international finance, and has served as the Resident Representative in Washington DC and negotiator for the OECD, the IMF and the World Bank.

He has also been assigned to posts in several universities, including the John Hopkins University.

The Dubai School of Government was established in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School to promote good governance through enhancing the region’s capacity for effective public policy.

It is committed to the creation of knowledge, the dissemination of best practice and the training of policy makers in the Arab world.