JICA holds 1st pitch event for Japanese SMEs to expand business in Philippines

February 20, 2018

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is holding its first pitch event for Japanese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) this week in Manila to help the latter explore business ventures, address development issues, and make their products more suitable to the Filipino market.

The pitch event, the first activity of its kind organized by JICA, will feature ten Japanese SMEs and will gather about 100 participants from government, academe, local government units, private sector, and civil society in the Philippines.

“This activity is a venue for Japanese SMEs to interact with Filipinos from all walks of life that they may learn and adopt suitable innovations and technologies from Japan that can help address their needs,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

“With this, we aim to further support the Philippines’ Ambisyon Nation 2040 development agenda and targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through partnership between Filipinos and Japanese private sector.”

Participants in the pitch contest are:

Hinode Sangyo Co. Ltd., Yokohama, waste water treatment technology eTrust Co. Ltd., Tokyo, weather and hydrological remote monitoring system Kuwanasato Corporation, Yamanashi, mulberry tea manufacturing Informatix Incorporated, Kawasaki, geographic information system for disaster management BEMAC Electric Transportation Philippines Inc., Makati, electric tricycles INADA Inc., Kagawa Prefecture, portable water purification system E-Support Link Ltd., Tokyo, IT system for agriculture products distribution ISEKI Poly-Tech Inc., Tokyo, pipe jacking for sewage GUUN, Co. Ltd., Cebu, solid waste management and resource recycling Biotech Japan Corporation, Niigata, low protein rice technology The pitch event is part of JICA’s Partnership with the Private Sector type of assistance that encourages Japanese companies with technological expertise to support the development needs of JICA partner countries. Participants for the event have been in the Philippines to perform feasibility studies or pilot test a technology addressing solid waste management and recycling, raising agriculture farm productivity, or providing affordable water system.

The companies will each be given time to present their products while panelists coming from the government, private sector, academe, and civil society will provide feedback on the business solution presented. DMS