Gladys Berejiklian Premier of NSW Stuart Ayres Minister for Western Sydney Niall Blair Minister for Trade and Industry MEDIA RELEASE Thursday, 15 November 2018 HITACHI ONBOARD FOR AEROTROPOLIS TAKEOFF The NSW Government is well on the way to creating 200,000 jobs around the Western Sydney Aerotropolis with another one of the world’s largest companies, Hitachi, signing on to participate in the development of the Aerotropolis. Premier Gladys Berejiklian today joined senior Hitachi representatives including its President and CEO Toshiaki Higashihara at a signing ceremony at Parliament House. “Hitachi is one of the world’s largest companies operating across energy, construction, water and railway systems to defence, digital systems, healthcare technology and more,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This MOU will see Hitachi throw its support behind the Western Sydney Airport Aerotropolis and follows its attendance at the NSW Government’s Aerotropolis Investor Forum in May and my trade visit to Japan last year. “The Aerotropolis is a highly attractive investment opportunity and Hitachi is keen to participate.” Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said getting Hitachi on board was another big coup for NSW which last month signed MOUs with two other Japanese giants, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. “Getting these big Japanese multinationals with their global networks is a major step in our efforts to help develop industry precincts around Western Sydney Airport,” Mr Ayres said. “Japan is NSW’s second largest trading partner and invested over $219 billion in Australia last year. “The Aerotropolis will be a bustling 10,000-hectare economic zone creating a 200,000 jobs bonanza for the new world class Western Parkland City that is being developed in a joint effort between NSW, the Commonwealth and Local governments.” Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair said the Japanese business community have long supported the growth and prosperity of the people of NSW. “Last month Sydney played host to the 56th Joint Business Conference of the Australia- Japan Business Co-operation Committee, a conference that was marked by its warmth and the depth of friendship,” Mr Blair said. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of this outstanding relationship unfolding as the best of the best from Japan step up their already significant engagement in NSW.” The MOUs follow an announcement in September that the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, University of Wollongong, and Western Sydney University would create a world-class higher education institution at the Aerotropolis. Last year, global defence and aerospace company Northrop Grumman announced a $50 million investment in an advanced defence electronics maintenance and sustainment centre at the Aerotropolis. Yesterday, the iconic Sydney Markets signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government to expand into the Aerotropolis. “These are the first of many MOUs that will follow as we build a hugely exciting future for the people of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said. Hitachi, which had revenues of US$88.4 billion last financial year, has a global workforce of 307,000 including over 3,600 in Australia where it has a range of businesses including its national headquarters at North Ryde. MEDIA: Beau Mitchem | Premier | 0418 151 808 Anna Hindson I Minister Ayres I 0437 094 873 .