Australia-based global design and engineering firm, SMEC, and Japan-based integrated engineering consulting firm, Oriental Consultants Global (OCG), have officially renewed their long-standing partnership, signing a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was executed by SMEC CEO (and CEO International, Surbana Jurong Group) Hari Poologasundram, and OCG CEO Eiji Yonezawa.

SMEC and OCG’s collaboration began in 2011 and has expanded over the past eight years to include the delivery of major global infrastructure projects, many of which have been funded by the Japanese Government. Among them are the Jamuna Railway Bridge project in Bangladesh; New Kelani Bridge project in Sri Lanka; Jabodebek Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Indonesia; and the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) DED Phase 2 in the Philippines.

Mr Poologasundram said that during these challenging times, consistency and reliability delivered through strong partnerships are more important than ever. “As we navigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, our clients are relying on us to support and guide them in delivering essential infrastructure that not only meets today’s requirements but plays a vital role in rebuilding a post-pandemic world.

“The establishment of our new partnership strategy, now formalised through the MOU, builds on our joint success and puts both organisations in a strong position to pursue emerging opportunities.”

Mr Poologasundram added that over the past few years, SMEC and OCG have refined and sharpened the focus on effective collaboration, including the development of an ongoing staff exchange programme. As a result, both companies continue to work closely together and offer greater value on complex, large-scale infrastructure projects, leveraging the complementary strength of combined core market sector capabilities.

Mr Yonezawa also commented, “On behalf of OCG, I appreciate the partnership with SMEC. I believe our partnership is one of our most successful collaborations, as we have successfully delivered more than 20 projects and completed two staff exchange programmes under the MOU.

“I hope all of our employees and their families are keeping safe and look forward to being able to meet with our partners at SMEC in the future.”

Images: SMEC