Activities
Facilitating economic growth in developing countries through trade promotion
JETRO helps developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth by working with them to strengthen export industries, improve business-related systems (laws, taxation, certification procedures, etc.) and nurture human resources. In line with Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter, JETRO takes into account the diversity that exists among developing economies and tailors its assistance accordingly.
Enhancing economic ties with Japan
Japan has economic partnership agreements with numerous developing countries. To further enhance economic ties with these countries, JETRO works to build win-win relationships by implementing various projects aimed at boosting trade and investment and creating business opportunities for firms from Japan and these partner countries.
Helping developing countries upgrade their business systems
Globally-accepted trade/business standards and a firm foundation built on WTO and other international rules are necessary to facilitate international business. But in many developing countries, such rules and systems are not sufficiently established-or are applied in an arbitrary manner-which often hinders the business of overseas firms operating locally, including those from Japan. One area in particular relates to laws protecting intellectual property, which, in most cases, are either insufficient or are not aggressively applied, often resulting in huge company losses (from pirating and counterfeiting). JETRO works closely with local governments and related agencies in these countries to help improve such systems (and their administration) by conducting fact-finding surveys of issues faced by Japanese affiliates and, based on the findings, making suggestions and requests to these local governments.
Working with developing countries to strengthen export industries
JETRO identifies promising export products in developing countries and provides technical assistance on improving quality and design. At the request of individual countries, JETRO holds several exhibitions each year to enable foreign exporters to visit Japan and introduce their products directly to Japanese buyers and consumers. JETRO also organizes training for local personnel in developing countries (such as engineers at supplier companies in the automotive, electric and electronics industries), encourages Japanese firms to source parts and materials locally and, where possible, form technical tie-ups with local companies.
Helping developing countries in the areas of environment protection and energy conservation
By utilizing Japan's know-how and past experience in areas such as the environment and energy conservation, JETRO provides assistance to developing countries to help them address challenges in these areas.
Assistance provided by JETRO
Helping establish administrative & legal systems
JETRO assists developing countries, especially those in East Asia, by helping to introduce Japan's established business related systems, technologies, and know-how for mutual benefit. To do this, JETRO dispatches experts and carries out demonstration projects with governments of these countries in the following five fields: 1) protection of intellectual property rights; 2) harmonization and dissemination of standards and certification systems; 3) standardization and facilitation of logistics and customs procedures; 4) environmental protection and energy conservation; and 5) nurturing of human resources.
For example, in FY2006, under the "Automotive Human Resource Development Institute" scheme, a key cooperation project set forth in the Japan-Thailand EPA framework, JETRO dispatched a total of 39 experts to Thailand for a total of 745 days to work with local companies and organizations, providing 133 local staff with technological guidance and training. In China and Thailand, whose governments are working to improve energy efficiency, JETRO carries out surveys using Japanese diagnostic methods and conducts demonstration projects to evaluate the application/introduction of Japanese energy-saving systems in these countries.
Protecting the environment and promoting energy conservation
In Asia's environment conservation/pollution prevention and energy conservation fields, favorable results have been attained through: 1) introduction of Japan's "Pollution Control Manager System" (Thailand and West Java, Indonesia); 2) establishment of an energy conservation center (ASEAN); and 3) implementation of life cycle assessment (LCA) (Malaysia and Thailand).
Helping to nurture supporting industries
Local sourcing and procurement of parts and materials is of obvious importance to Japanese automakers seeking to maximize their cost-efficiency and global competitiveness. As such, JETRO is actively involved in nurturing supporting industries, such as machining, mold & die technology, press working and plastic molding, in areas where Japanese industry is concentrated (primarily Asia, Mexico and South Africa). JETRO does this by dispatching experts to these areas to work with local companies and organizations, providing them with technological guidance and training. These efforts help minimize the number of defective products and expand local business opportunities.
In FY2006, JETRO experts were dispatched to India and Indonesia to assist these countries' efforts in local "One Village One Product (OVOP)" campaigns. The experts provided advice and guidance on improving designs for promising export products chosen as pilot projects.
Organizing exhibitions in Japan
JETRO also works to nurture supporting industries in developing countries by organizing exhibitions in Japan devoted to showcasing the products, technologies and investment environments of these countries, and providing opportunities for their firms to meet potential partners. Another important activity in this area is helping build recognition of these countries in Japan.
For example, JETRO is working with several developing countries to organize OVOP campaigns, under Japan's "New Development Initiative for Trade", which was announced in December 2005 as a support measure for the WTO Doha round.
Since February 2006, JETRO has held OVOP exhibitions across Japan to help developing countries introduce their culturally representative and attractive products, including processed foods, crafts and accessories, to the Japan market. These include the Mekong Exhibition, the Pacific Islands Exhibition, the African Fair, and OVOP Markets at seven major airports across Japan. (For FY2007, OVOP Markets are being operated at Narita, Kansai and Haneda airports.)
In addition, JETRO helps developing countries participate in trade fairs in Japan, with the aim of boosting these countries' exports and helping firms make their initial entry into the Japan market.
