By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Indian firm Hinduja Group of Companies is planning to manufacture buses in the country as it seeks to participate in the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
Hinduja Group (Europe) Chairman Prakash P. Hinduja conveyed this plan to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez during a recent visit. They are also in search for a local partner.
Lopez assured the group to help them find their right match.
Hinduja Group is one of the largest diversified groups in the world, with investments in automotive, oil and gas, real estate, power, healthcare, trading, information technology, media, banking and finance. The group is present in the country through its subsidiary, Hinduja Global Solutions Philippines, an IT-BPO company with around 9,000 employees in its 11 sites located in Quezon City, Muntinlupa City, and Iloilo City.
In a statement, DTI said that Hinduja said he previously met with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and relayed that the agency needs over 100,000 vehicles for the modernization program. Aside from buses, the trade chief also urged the company to manufacture modern jeepneys and electric vehicles in the country.
Lopez said this is in line with DTI’s plan to boost Philippine manufacturing to create jobs, answer domestic and export demand, and lessen the country’s dependence on imported products. Hinduja Group would explore the suggestions of DTI for this opportunity and see if progress can coincide with the upcoming visit of Indian President Shri Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to the Philippines.