The New South Wales Government, NEC Corporation, a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies, and its wholly-owned subsidiary NEC Australia, have today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be foundation partners in the co-creation and development of a world-leading Digital Safer and Smarter City environment.

The three Parties will actively engage collectively in underpinning a position for NSW as a global force in the ICT sector.

The NSW Government intends to initially develop a world-class Innovation and Technology Precinct in the vicinity of Central Station in Sydney, a forerunner to investment opportunities in priority NSW Government lighthouse precincts, including the Westmead Health and Education Precinct, the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and regional Special Activation Precincts at Williamtown, Parkes and Wagga Wagga.

NEC is already partnered with the NSW Government in multiple projects for Digital Transformation, including a strategic partnership with the University of Wollongong, underpinning new employment opportunities in the ICT sector.

Leveraging this collaboration and NEC’s Safer and Smarter Cities capabilities in a newly signed MoU with the NSW Government, NEC Corporation and NEC Australia will bring expertise in innovative solutions that creates sustainable living for both communities and enterprises.

Moving NSW towards becoming one of the most liveable, people-friendly, convenient and open safer cities environments, the NSW Government and NEC aim will focus predominantly on five major sectors; Digital Government, Public Safety, Aviation, Health and Smart Transportation, while utilising NEC’s world-leading Biometrics, 5G, IoT and AI technologies.

“I am delighted to welcome NEC into our foundation partner network to design and develop together our innovation and technology framework for NSW,” said Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres.

“We have found a strong partner who shares our vision of a safer and smarter cities experience.

“The NSW Government is committed to making our lives environment-resilient and digital-friendly and this strategic partnership with NEC will help us become an attractive precinct for global and domestic business and investors, while at the same time providing innovative experiences for the people of NSW,” Minister Ayres said.

Toshiya Matsuki, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, NEC Corporation today spoke on this exciting proposition;

“NEC Corporation is very pleased to be entering this MoU with the NSW Government.

“Sydney is regarded everywhere as a fast-paced, forward-thinking, global city and we are honoured to be invited to be a foundation partner,” Mr Matsuki said.

Mitsuhiro Murooka, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer - ANZ, NEC Australia, has also welcomed the new foundation partnership;

“The fact that the NSW government is intent on spreading this technology, not only across established and rapidly developing parts of Sydney, but across the state shows that, like NEC, it is serious about digital technology innovation and the opportunities it brings all communities.”

Ambassador Richard Court, Australian Embassy, Japan, has spoken about the agreement;

“I welcome this very important partnership between the NSW Government, NEC Corporation and NEC Australia.”

“This further underlines the great relationship and understanding between Japan and Australia in a very important area of development, Safer and Smarter Cities,” Ambassador Richard Court said.

Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi, Embassy of Japan in Australia has also welcomed the partnership;

“Too see this increased level of cooperation between NEC, a Japanese ICT company working on a global scale of which Japan is very proud, and the Government of NSW, a driving force of the Australian economy, is very pleasing.”

“Innovation and Technology is ever-developing and this Memorandum of Understanding opens the doors to all parties working towards a Digital Safer and Smarter CITY environment,” Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi said.

NEC Corporation and NEC Australia have been operating globally and in Australia for 120 and 50 years respectively.