Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has selected a total of 57 projects for the JICA Biz (JICA Biz) Business Support Program for Small and Medium Enterprises and SDGs (attached list of selected projects). 54 out of the 57 projects are for small and medium-sized enterprises. The total number of projects supported by JICA Biz is 1,228(*), and proposals from SMEs in all prefectures have been selected so far.
*Total number of cases since the predecessor program “SME Overseas Development Support Program (including those commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)” started in FY2012.
JICA supports business creation by Japanese private companies and others that contribute to solving issues in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, following the trial reorganization of the program that had been implemented since fiscal year 2022, JICA invited applications for two new programs, “Needs Assessment Survey” and “Business Demonstration Project,” which are tailored to the stage of business consideration of the proposing corporation. The new program offered two menu items, “Needs Confirmation Survey” and “Business Demonstration Project,” according to the stage of business consideration by the proposing corporation.
This year, 20 out of a total of 57 projects were selected for “Regional Financial Institution Collaboration,” in which the proposing corporation and a regional financial institution collaborate to study and conduct research on overseas expansion.
(located in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture), which manufactures and sells agricultural machinery such as grain dryers, will work with the Yamagata Bank to verify the performance, operation, and maintenance of its circulating dryers in Tanzania, where improving rice quality and reducing post-harvest losses through appropriate drying processes have become issues. The company will also verify the feasibility of collaboration with potential local distributors, with the aim of marketing the dryer to local rice millers and others. The introduction of this dryer in the country will reduce post-harvest losses, increase rice production, and improve the livelihood of rice growers by improving rice quality. By collaborating with regional financial institutions, the feasibility of a sustainable business after the completion of the research and demonstration project is expected to be enhanced.
The regional percentages of projects adopted this year are Southeast Asia and Pacific (57.9%), East and Central Asia (12.3%), Africa and South Asia (both 10.5%), Latin America (7.0%), and the Middle East and Europe (1.8%). By sector, agriculture (26.3%), disaster prevention/disaster control (15.8%), infrastructure development/transportation (14.0%), and healthcare (12.3%) are the most common sectors, followed by environment (8.8%) and water purification/water treatment (7.0%).
List of adopted projects
© Source JICA
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