Dutch multinational engineering and electronics conglomerate Philips announced last week that it has set up its lighting operations in Myanmar.
Philips appointed three local distributors to meet the needs of the general public, businesses and government organisations looking to install energy efficient and sustainable lighting solutions in their home, workplaces and offices.
The local distributors have been appointed to provide service to each distinct market – Pahtama Group will supply Philips Lighting products to the consumer market, while JJ-Pun and Power Light will service and commercial sectors respectively.
The operations in the country, and its local distributors, will help the city’s growing urban population continue the economic and social development of Yangon by bringing sustainable, high-quality lighting to all, Philips said.
“As Myanmar develops and its urban population grows, the current energy infrastructure will come under increasing pressure,” Mieke De Schepper, general manager, Philips Lighting Singapore and Export.
Yangon currently consumes 45 percent of Myanmar’s energy supply and this is likely to increase as development continues, she said.
“It is imperative that people make use of energy-efficient solutions as they can help achieve significant savings and meaningfully bring electricity demand and supply into balance.”
Mieke said by switching to energy-efficient lighting technologies such as Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs these savings would amount to an estimated $ 9.7 million in reduced electricity costs and 45 kilotonnes of CO2 annually.
“Half of these savings can be achieved in Yangon alone.”
Philips said its re-entry into Myanmar across its lighting, healthcare and consumer lifestyle business units reflects the company’s confidence in Myanmar’s long-term business opportunity.
In healthcare, Philips is working with stakeholders to build Myanmar’s health infrastructure. It has introduced the first PET/CT imaging system to Myanmar, to be installed in Yangon General Hospital, and has started a year-long program of clinical education in association with the Myanmar Radiological Society.
Philips said its consumer products have already gained favour with Yangon consumers after the opening of its first consumer store in March, followed by an additional seven stores in key cities across the country.
In June, Philips partnered with the Yangon Heritage Trust to highlight and preserve the cultural heritage of Yangon through the use of its sustainable LED lighting solutions. Philips gave $75,000 for the Yangon blue plaques initiative to highlight key cultural heritage sites throughout Yangon.
Headquartered in the Amsterdam, Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of €24.8 billion and employs approximately 114,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries.
