Toyota to study production in Saudi Arabia www.nhk.or.jp
Executives at Japanese automaker Toyota Motor are considering whether to make cars in Saudi Arabia. They say they've signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi officials to study the possibility of setting up a factory in the Middle Eastern nation.
Toyota plans to see if it would be possible to secure parts and whether demand would be strong enough.
Toyota exported about 37,000 cars to Saudi Arabia from Japan last year. The company also ships vehicles there from other countries. Toyota accounts for about one-third of all the cars on Saudi roads.
Separately, the Economy Ministers of the two countries signed another memorandum. They agreed for Japan to help the Gulf nation in its quest to lessen its dependence on oil.
It says Japanese officials will support desalination projects to help Saudi Arabia deal with chronic water shortages. They will provide know-how for managing non-governmental organizations.
The 2 sides also agreed to jointly study whether Japan's expertise in the technology known as Internet of Things and housing construction can be applied to Saudi Arabia.
Published Date:2017-03-15