• Panasonic to open integrated showroom and service center showcasing both B2C and B2B solutions in Yangon and Mandalay by March 2015
• Over 2,000 Panasonic Solar Lanterns were donated to welfare organisations to improve lives of people in areas with limited electricity
18 November 2014, Yangon, Myanmar – Panasonic Solutions Expo opened today at the Sule Shangri-La Hotel; the first big scale showcase of the company’s full suite of technology, business-to-consumer (B2C) products and business-to-business (B2B) solutions available in Myanmar. The Expo spans across six experiential booths – Corporate Branding, Residential, Energy Solutions, Hotel, Education and Convenience Store – to bring about ‘consumers and business partners’ for consumers and business partners.
1. Corporate Branding Zone walks visitors through Panasonic’s milestones in the last 50 years
2. Residential Zone consists of “Made in Japan” products demonstrating Japan’s high quality and advanced technology
3. Energy Solutions Zone highlights solutions for those living in areas with limited electrical infrastructure
4. Hotel Zone integrates communications and security solutions which aim to enhance hotel visitors’ experience
5. Education Zone exhibits interactive and collaborative technology to make learning fun
6. Convenience Store Zone showcases Panasonic’s cold chain solutions
“Panasonic has identified Myanmar as one of Asia Pacific’s strategic markets with high growth potential. Last year, we established the Myanmar Branch office to promote locally-oriented management and accelerate decision-making process, by positioning ourselves closer to our Burmese customers, business partners and dealers. Having established Panasonic as one of Myanmar’s top consumer electronics brand, we will concurrently focus on strengthening our B2B portfolio here. I am certain the Myanmar market will contribute effectively to Panasonic’s global sales target of 10 trillion yen by the end of fiscal year 2018, the company’s 100th anniversary,” said Junichiro Kitagawa, Managing Director, Panasonic Asia Pacific.
As part of the company’s business strategy to increase customer touch points, two integrated Panasonic showrooms will open in Yangon and Mandalay by March 2015. Both showrooms will incorporate a service centre, providing after-sales support services, and showcase Panasonic’s full B2C and B2B offerings. Panasonic Cooking and Panasonic Beauty corners enable customers to experience the products first-hand. In addition, Panasonic will also improve customer touch points at various sales channels, such as hypermarkets and independent retail shops.
Echoing Kitagawa’s words, Hisakazu Maeda, Chief Representative, Panasonic Asia Pacific Myanmar Branch, said, “We will realise ‘A Better Life, A Better World’ for our Burmese customers through a combination B2C and B2B offerings as well as CSR and sponsorship activities. In the B2B sphere, Panasonic hopes to work with our local business partners as a one-stop solutions provider to meet unique market requirements, particularly in the areas or offices and hotels, condominiums and service apartments, and infrastructure.”
Under Panasonic’s global 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project , the company donated over 2,000 Solar Lanterns to eight organisations working to address various social challenges in Myanmar. This is on top of the 5,000 sets donated in 2013.
“Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, electrification rate in Myanmar is relatively low at 49%. We received positive feedback from the recipient organisations on the utility of Solar Lanterns donated last year, such as how it has significantly helped improve working conditions in hospitals and schools. Hopefully, today’s donation will further contribute to the resolution of social challenges faced by people living in Myanmar’s rural areas,” said Rika Fukuda, General Manager, CSR & Citizenship Group, Groupwide Brand Communications Division, Panasonic Corporation.
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates about 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.74 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2014. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.
Panasonic Asia Pacific provides the whole range of the brand’s products and solutions across the South East Asia and Pacific (APAC) region. The company focuses on promoting its Business-to-Business portfolio, such as in the field of energy solutions, whilst maintaining solid Business-to-Consumer growth, in line with the group’s global direction.
The region has 45 manufacturing sites, which hold as a key hub for Panasonic’s global production activities supporting the consumer, solutions and components and devices business. Based in Singapore, Panasonic Asia Pacific regional headquarter encourages locally-initiated energy solutions partnerships and businesses. Panasonic Asia Pacific will continue to promote green innovation and reduce its regional carbon dioxide emissions footprint in support of Panasonic’s global eco initiatives.
Mr. Hisakazu Maeda
Chief Representative
Panasonic Asia Pacific (Myanmar Branch)
Tel: +95 1 507 166 430
hisakazu.maeda@mm.panasonic.com