Japan International Cooperation System

Annual Report 201505

Principal Activities
in FY2014

1
PartPart 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

SpecialFeaturePart 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

In Contributing to Japan’s Economic Cooperation
with Myanmar, JICS is Further Demonstrating Its
Capabilities as a Service Provider

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

India

Special Feature

06

Democratization and economic reform are moving ahead at a rapid
pace in Myanmar, where a new government administration was inaugurated in 2011. Although various issues remain, including a full reconciliation with minority ethnic groups, to assist the constructive reform
efforts of the Myanmar government, in April 2012 the Japanese government revised its economic cooperation policy vis-à-vis Myanmar. The new policy focuses on three priority areas for assistance:• Assistance for improvement of people’s livelihoods• Assistance for capacity building and institutions development to sustain economy and society• Assistance for development of infrastructure and related
systems necessary for sustainable economic development.
Subsequently, full-scale assistance commenced, including through theloan aid program. JICS is involved in projects related to these three priority areas, and is broadening its potential for providing new services.

China

Myanmar
Laos

YangonThailandCambodia
VietnamAssistance for Improvement of People’s Livelihoods
“Project for Electrification of Rural Villages”
Features of the Project
O Procurement of electricity generation systems that utilize renewable energy
O As part of procurement agent services, JICS also handled construction management

Improving the Living Conditions of Village Residents through Projects toBring Electricity to Off-grid Areas
Compared with other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
region, the development of electricity infrastructure in Myanmar is lagging. Of some
88,000 village communities that exist in Myanmar, more than 37,000, or around 42%, arenot connected to the national power grid. In these communities lacking electrification,
which do not even have such basic facilities as lighting, residents have a strong desire togain access as soon as possible to the services that majority of us take for granted.
The Myanmar government, as part of its national policy, is giving priority to the connection of communities to the national grid, and to promoting the effective utilization of renewable energy. However, development is not progressing as smoothly as hoped. Myanmar has a large land area—approximately 1.8 times the size of Japan—and its topography
is extremely challenging as it includes very steep, mountainous regions.
In light of this situation, the Japanese government made the decision to provide grant
aid to Myanmar with the objective of improving the living conditions of residents inlocal areas. The grant aid promotes the electrification of areas that lack electricity, which
include a large number of ethnic-minority communities. This will be achieved by developing and installing renewable energy-based systems, including small-scale hydroelectric
power and solar electricity generation, in village communities where electrification islagging. In June 2014, after the Exchange of Notes (E/N) was signed between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, JICS signed
the Agent Agreement with the Myanmar government. Based on this, JICS has been appointed as the agent for the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, whichis the implementing ministry for this project.

Faced with Severe Conditions, JICS Responded by Adapting to the
Local Situation
The candidate sites for this project—several dozen village communities where electricity
generation systems were to be installed—were spread widely east and west across Myanmar’s land area. Not only were the villages remote, but roads leading to them and someof the actual communities themselves were situated in extremely steep locations. Hence,
the geographic conditions faced by the project were very severe.
The small-scale hydroelectric generation systems to be developed by the project werevery small, with capacity ranging from 100W (0.1kW) to 10kW. Such tiny systems are often
referred to as “micro-hydro” or “pico-hydro.” The small number of experts in this technology
was also one of the issues we needed to consider when planning the project.
Furthermore, since we, JICS, had a strong mission in Myanmar that the project be delivered at the earliest possible date, it was necessary to gather the information required for

Satoshi Matoba

Kazuki Inaoka

First Construction
Management DivisionFirst Management
Department

First Construction
Management DivisionFirst Management
Department

Civil engineering works carried out for a micro-hydroproject

An installed micro-hydro generation unit undergoes
test operation

Villagers carry equipment needed for a solar electricity generation projectUtility poles were erected thanks to the full-scalecooperation of community residents

07
Special Feature

Providing Services with High Value-Added
Through this project, it was once again brought home to us that the procurement agent
services performed by JICS are a type of service, and the essential goal of a service iscustomer satisfaction. We were able to rapidly advance the project after harmonizing thethinking of a large number of stakeholders and then receiving the cooperation of thosestakeholders. We believe that this was made possible by gaining not only the agreement
but also the trust of the people with whom we dealt, based on making proposals thatwent the extra distance beyond their requests as part of day-to-day dialogue. For
example, we provided concise, tightly focused reference information that had strong
visual appeal.
Within the project, as part of our procurement agent operations we also handled construction management. Leveraging this experience, we can reassess JICS’ role and value
as a service provider, and use these insights to broaden the range of services offered by
JICS in the future. We want to respond to the various needs in the field of economic
cooperation from Japan so that JICS will be in a position to actively contribute—even
more than ever.

Village residents welcome the completion of installation of a solar electricity generation system

The magnificent ceremony to celebrate the start ofelectricity supply

Assistance for Capacity Building and Institutions Development to Sustain Economy and Society“Yangon Technological University Equipment Provision Project”
Features of the Project
O The project is funded by the Japan–ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)
O Rapid procurement of a wide array of equipment

Making Up for Lost Years in Myanmar’s Higher Education andResearch System
At Yangon Technological University (YTU), Myanmar’s top engineering and technologicaluniversity, all faculties excluding the graduate schools were closed from 2000 to 2012.
However, in December 2012 YTU reopened all faculties. Unfortunately, the suspension ofAnnual Report 2015

Solar panels and generators

Japan International Cooperation Systemprocurement swiftly and to an appropriate level. We also needed to consider the electricity generation method and equipment specifications suited to the conditions at each site.
In response to these and other conditions, we decided to seek the help of a JICS inhouse engineer who possessed experience in a similar field. Based on the request documentation from the Myanmar government, we carried out an on-site survey of eachcandidate site, and analyzed such factors as geographical conditions and residents’ living
environment. Although we had hopes prior to the survey that micro-hydro candidate
sites would have agricultural canals or other existing water-source facilities, often this was
not the case. In addition, at some candidate sites there was a very high seasonal fluctuation in the volume of water flowing through the site’s mountain stream. Consequently,
we needed to respond with higher flexibility to the actual conditions we found. In somecases this meant switching from an initial plan involving a micro-hydro development to asolar electricity generation project.
Based on the results of our survey, we engaged in discussions with a broad range ofstakeholders to adjust and reconfirm the details of the project. Such stakeholders included the Myanmar central government (the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development and other agencies), state governments, administrative branch offices in each
local region, and local village residents. Backed by these close communication efforts,
we received agreement from stakeholders regarding site selection and the equipment to
be installed.
Over a period of almost one year from the signing of the E/N between the two governments, we were able to hand over an initial lot of eight completed project sites. To ourhonor, the Myanmar government sincerely expressed their sense of appreciation on thequick procurement in one year.
At one of the communities (Sint-In Village) where handover was completed, the Myanmar government organized a ceremony to mark the start of electricity supply, inviting
V.I.P.s from both governments. All of the residents gathered, making it a magnificent
occasion for the village, and gratitude was expressed toward the people of Japan. Afterhearing the great hopes held by the residents we met while carrying out the survey andseeing the devoted cooperation of villagers during engineering works and while carrying in the equipment, we had a strong motivation to respond, and we are sure that thiscontributed to ensuring a successful outcome.

Jinichi Watanabe

Naoko OchiaiInternational Organization
Division
Third Management
Department(At the time of the project’s
implementation)

International Organization
Division
Third Management
Department

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Special Feature

08

Part 2 Description of Projects

educational programs for 12 years meant that much of the equipment at the institution
was obsolete and there was a severe shortage of educational and research equipment.
The Myanmar government requested that the Japanese government assist in the provision of replacement equipment for the university. As a multilateral aid project, this projectutilized the Japan–ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), which was established in 2006 throughfunds contributed by the Japanese government to support integration in the ASEAN
region. To improve the research and learning environment at the undergraduate facultylevel, we carried out procurement of experiment apparatus and practical training equipment.
From around 10 years ago, JICS has built up a comprehensive track record in the execution of expeditious procurement services within grant aid programs for Myanmar.
Consequently, in February 2013 this experience was leveraged in the implementation ofthis project.

Reference Materials

YTU personnel and a JICS employee (center)

Detailed Selection of Equipment Necessary for All Faculties
To quickly improve the educational and research environment of the reopened faculties,
JICS initially carried out discussions with YTU’s 11 faculties and laboratories. The requested
items covered a wide range of equipment, including gas chromatography instruments forenvironmental analysis, a factory automation (FA) system trainer, a vacuum tube furnace
for metal processing, triaxial compression machine for geology, a laboratory sample
knitting machine for testing fiber strength, a multifunctional printer for producing maps,
ampere meter and voltage meter, and inoculating loops with sphere. While confirming
the priorities of each faculty and laboratory, JICS determined the items to be procured.
Since the university’s facilities are old, and electrical voltage varies between classrooms,
the urgent need to add transformers to the list of procurement items became apparent.
Although such unexpected matters arose, we successfully delivered approximately 100
items, including notebook PCs, the inspection equipment, experiment apparatus, andtraining equipment covering such fields as electrical engineering, information technology(IT), mechanical engineering, metals, chemistry, mining, geology, and petroleum. Installation and initial training were completed as planned. The handover ceremony was attended by a large number of stakeholders, including the Myanmar Minister of Science andTechnology, the Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and local media. At the ceremony, weobserved the high level of interest in Japanese assistance for Myanmar provided throughthe project.
The equipment procured as part of the project will play a useful role in human resource
capacity building in the technology field. Personnel in this area are sure to be an important driver of future economic growth in Myanmar. For JICS too, we believe that this isextremely significant.

Part of the equipment procured for YTU, including aprinter for producing maps (right)

Assistance for Development of Infrastructure and Related Features of the Project
Systems Necessary for Sustainable Economic Development O Introduction of the concept of Public–Private
Partnerships (PPP) for the project involving
service operations and management
“The Project for Reduction of Non-Revenue Water
components
in Mayangone Township in Yangon City”
Aiming to Facilitate Development through the Management of Public Services by Japanese Companies
In November 2014, after a proposal-based competitive-selection process conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA), JICS was recommended to the Myanmar government as a procurement agent for “The Project for Reduction of Non-Revenue Water* in Mayangone Township in Yangon City”—a grant aid project for Myanmar. Subsequently, in August 2015 JICS signed an
Agent Agreement.
This project encompasses the rehabilitation of facilities related to municipal water supply system in Mayangone Township in Yangon, and the management components in a broad sense. The project aims to contribute to a reduction in the water leakage rate in
the area covered, and the improvement of water supply capacity and management of non-revenue water over the long-time period.
In recent years, developing countries have introduced PPP projects in the area of public service provision. Private-sector enterprises provide services over a medium- to long-term period, with the expectation that the technology and know-how of the company
taking part will be utilized. In this project, the excellent technologies of private-sector Japanese companies will be utilized for the
rehabilitation of water facilities. Also, it is expected that a contract which includes the operation and management components will
be signed between a Japanese company and the Myanmar government separately.
As the procurement agent of the Myanmar government, JICS will undertake management of the project. This will include procurement of consulting services to review and assist with the preparation of tender documentations, and conducting selection of acontractor to carry out improvement of water supply-related facilities. JICS will utilize its extensive project management experience,
including experience to date in procurement agent operations, and specifically in Myanmar, the procurement of various equipment
for the Myanmar government as well as the construction of primary schools that also function as cyclone shelters. We will endeavor
to execute effective, efficient operations.

* Non-revenue water: Water for which revenues are not collected, including pipe leakage and stolen water

Development Cooperation and the Role of JICS in ODA
P The Role of JICS in the Japanese Government’s
Development Cooperation

JICS’ sphere of involvement

Project-related studies, etc.
(Studies for grant aid projects)
Grant Aid

Grant Aid-related
Operations

Procurement consulting services

Grant aid in which JICS is involved
Grant Aid
(The Economic and Social Development
Programme, etc.)*
Grant Assistance for the Food Aid Project (KR)

Procurement agent services

GrantsEmergency Grant Aid

Bilateral Aid
Development
Cooperation(Official
Development
Assistance(ODA))

Government
Loans

Subscriptions andContributions toInternational
Agenciesand Organizations

Studies related to technical cooperation

Cultural Grant Aid

Dispatch of experts for technicalcooperation projects

Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects* Before March 2015, this scheme had consisted of the sub-schemes, namely “Non-Project
Grant Aid”, “Grant Aid for Community
Empowerment”, “Grant Aid for Disaster
Loan Aid-related
Document screening services, studies, etc.
Prevention and Reconstruction”, “Grant Aid(ODA loan-related operations)Operations
for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding”,
and “Program Grant Aid for Environment andClimate Change”.
Note:
International Agencies
From FY2015, Grant Assistance for theStudies, project implementation, etc.
Food Security Project for Underprivileged(International agencies andand OrganizationsFarmers (2KR) has been discontinued, andorganizations-related operations)related Operations
consequently is not included in this chart.
* For details on what these operations include, please refer to page 29.

The Japanese government’s Official Development Assistance(ODA) policy has been implemented based on the ODA Charter (approved by the Cabinet in 1994; revised in 2003). However, owing to changes in the domestic and international environment for ODA, this policy has undergone an overhaul, andin February 2015 the Cabinet approved the new “Development
Cooperation Charter.” In accordance with the goals for Japan’s
development cooperation set under the Development Cooperation Charter, Japan will increase its proactive efforts aimed
at realizing peace, stability, and prosperity in the international
community so that a desirable international environment willtake shape. These efforts should also contribute to securing
Japan’s national interest.
Development cooperation refers to “international cooperation activities that are conducted by the government and its
affiliated agencies for the main purpose of development indeveloping regions,” and is conducted through ODA programs.
Japan’s ODA is divided into the provision of funds and technology by the Japanese government and its executing agency
for the purpose of development in developing countries. This
includes such aspects as peacebuilding and the promotion ofgood governance and fundamental human rights, as well as
the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Development cooperation is divided into two broad categories—bilateral aid that is conducted directly in cooperation
with a particular developing country and multilateral aid that is
carried out through an international organization. Bilateral aid
can be further divided into three modalities—grant aid, technical cooperation, and loan aid.
Since its launch in 1989, as a fair and neutral procurement
organization, JICS has provided a broad array of services related
to the procurement procedures for goods, equipment, andservices necessary in the execution of many types of ODA projects. The information below provides an overview of the main
operations in which JICS is involved.

Grant Aid-related Operations
Grant aid is a form of assistance whereby funds required for the
procurement of goods, equipment, and services are provided
to developing countries without a repayment obligation.
In operations related to grant aid, JICS carries out procurement services, which include funds management, and project
management, as an agent of the governments of recipient
countries. We call these services “procurement agent services.”
JICS also conducts studies to examine the appropriatenessof applications by recipient-country governments, and to
consider the price and specifications of goods and equipment,
and performs procurement consulting services to assist procurement procedures carried out by recipient-country governments, project application analysis, and report screening
services.
Procurement Agent Services
First of all, the Japanese government examines and considers applications from recipient-country
governments before making decisions to provide funds. Funds are then donated to recipient-country governments, but because the funds must be used in accordance with Japan’s ODA rules,
third-party organizations well-acquainted with those rules carry out procurement procedures andfunds management. Through agreements with recipient-country governments, JICS conducts the
procurement of goods and equipment and manages construction of facilities on their behalf.
Specifically, JICS sets terms for tenders after confirming specifications, quantities, and conditions for delivery or construction work relating to the goods and equipment or facilities, selects
suppliers and construction companies through a tendering process, and subsequently monitors
progress of contract fulfillment by the contractor while managing project funds.
Goods and Equipment Procurement
Facility Construction[Features]
1.	JICS procures goods and equipment after
checking local import customs clearance
procedures, recipient country systems in place fortaking possession of and storing the goods andequipment, conditions at the installation site, thesystems for maintenance, and other factors.
2.	Some projects involve tracking the progressof distribution of the procured goods andequipment and counterpart funds* deposited by
the recipient country.

[Features]
1.	JICS concludes a contract with aconstruction consultant, and together
with the consultant determines facility
specifications and construction workterms after checking the proposedconstruction site, road conditions, andgeneral standard for construction in therecipient-countries.
2.	JICS selects construction companies andcarries out on-site project management.

* Under self-help efforts, developing country governments deposit local currency
equivalent to a certain proportion of the price of equipment procured by grant aid.
These funds are utilized for local economic and social development projects for therecipient-country after consultation with the Japanese government.

09
Development Cooperation and the Role of JICS in ODA

Development Cooperation andthe Role of JICS in ODA

Annual Report 2015

Assistance throughInternational Agencies
and Organizations(Multilateral Aid)

Loan Aid(ODA Loan)

Technical
Cooperation-related
Operations

Japan International Cooperation System

Technical
Cooperation

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

Priority issues under the Development Cooperation Charter“Quality growth” and poverty eradication through such growth

Sharing universal values and realizing a peaceful and secure society

Grant Aid that Contributes to Solving Development Cooperation Priority Issues and JICS’ Procurement Agent Operations

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

“Quality growth” and poverty eradication

Development Cooperation and the Role of JICS in ODA

10Healthcare and Population /Water and Sanitation / Education
Grant Aid for Community Empowerment (Note)

This scheme was established with theobjective of assisting comprehensive
capacity development in communities
facing poverty, hunger, infectious diseases, and other threats to human lifeand secure livelihoods. The Grant Aid forCommunity Empowerment can reduce
project costs by incorporating local input
into project specifications and design andpositively utilizing local enterprises andlocally sourced goods and equipment,
and is expected to lead to the efficientuse of grant aid funds. While this scheme
can flexibly respond to diverse local needs
and conditions, it requires advanced
procurement-execution management
capabilities owing to the diverse efforts
needed to meet procurement schedules
and to assure quality.
In FY2014, JICS managed a total of 37
projects in Africa and Asia relating to construction work for schools, health centers,
and other facilities. This total includes
ongoing projects from the previous fiscal
year or earlier years.

Agriculture and Rural Development

Foundation for Economic Growth

Grant Assistance for the Food Aid Project (KR) / Non-Project Grant Aid (Note)
Grant Assistance for the Food Security Project for Non-Project Grant Aid provides funds todeveloping countries that are implementing
Underprivileged Farmers (2KR)
Targeted at developing countries facing
food shortages, Grant Assistance for the
Food Aid Project (commenced in 1968) is
grant aid provided for the procurement ofrice, wheat, maize, and other staple grains,while Grant Assistance for the Food Security
Project for Underprivileged Farmers (commenced in 1977) is grant aid provided forthe procurement of fertilizer and agricultural equipment that will help increase theproduction of grain crops. The International
Grains Agreement, which came into effect in
1967, was negotiated in the context of the
Kennedy Round (KR) of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT), and theseaid programs were launched in accordancewith the aforementioned agreement. Hence,
the two schemes’ respective alternative
names, KR and 2KR, derive from their historic
link with the Kennedy Round. A decision
was made to discontinue the 2KR schemefrom FY2015.
JICS has been operating the KR scheme
since FY2001, and in FY2014 implemented
procurement services for 28 projects mainly
in Africa, including projects ongoing fromthe previous fiscal year. With regard to the2KR scheme, JICS has operated this since
FY1989, and in FY2014 implemented procurement services for 14 projects mainly in
Africa, including projects ongoing from theprevious fiscal year.

A secondary school built under the Grant Aid for Community Empowerment (Mozambique)economic and social development—such as
poverty reduction programs—for the procurement and importation of necessary goods andequipment from overseas. JICS carries out procurement of raw materials (petroleum products, steel, etc.) and machinery for public works(vehicles and construction machinery) selectedby the recipient-country governments from alist of items. In recent years, industrial products
manufactured in areas affected by the Great
East Japan Earthquake have been procured
under this scheme. Products made by Japanese companies have also been procured suchas products manufactured by Japanese small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), medical
equipment, and next-generation eco-friendly
vehicles. This aspect of the scheme is designed
simultaneously to support the overseas business expansion efforts of Japanese enterprises.
At the end of FY2014, product categories eligible for procurement under the scheme wereexpanded to include Japanese local products
and Japanese disaster reduction equipment.
JICS commenced provision of services
under this scheme in FY1993, and in FY2014
implemented procurement in a total of 94
projects in a wide range of countries, including projects ongoing from the previous fiscal
year or earlier years. Regions covered included
Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Central
America, and South America.

A used vessel departs Nagasaki (for Viet Nam)

Operations for Grant Aid Schemes Other than Procurement Agent Services, and JICS’ Involvement
Cultural Grant Aid

The Japanese government provides grant aid for the purpose of promoting culture andeducation, as well as for the preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries. This
grant aid comprises funds for the purchase, transportation, and installation of materials andequipment, and the construction of facilities necessary for the aforementioned cultural andeducational activities. General Cultural Grant Aid is carried out vis-à-vis governmental andpublic agencies while Grassroots Grant Aid is provided to nongovernmental organizations(NGOs) and local public agencies.
In FY2014, JICS carried out procurement consulting services and services relating to the
preparation of a list of sports equipment as part of eight General Cultural Grant Aid projects
that continued from the previous fiscal year.

A boxing demonstration at a handover ceremony(Guatemala)Building a sustainable and resilient international community
through efforts to address global challenges

Building a sustainable and resilient international community
through efforts to address global challenges

Sharing universal values, realizing a peaceful andsecure society
Humanitarian Aid

Grant Aid for Conflict Prevention Emergency Grant Aid
Japan provides Emergency
and Peacebuilding (Note)

From the perspective of strengthening developing countries’
response measures to climatechange, this grant aid scheme
provides funds necessary for theformulation of climate change-related policies and response plans,
and for the procurement of materials and equipment and facility
construction services needed forthe execution of such plans.
In FY2014, JICS managed 45
projects ongoing from the previous fiscal year or earlier years. JICS
also received a new contract fora project in Myanmar, which is a
Grant Aid project involving service
operations and management
components which introduces
the concept of Public–Private
Partnerships (PPP). In addition,some projects under the Grant Aid
for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, also were carried out toaddress energy issues such as aproject for small-scale hydroelectric power development.

Grant Aid for Disaster Prevention andReconstruction (Note)

For developing countries that arevulnerable to natural disasters, asassistance for disaster-prevention
measures and post-disaster reconstruction, Japan provides grant
aid funds needed for the procurement of necessary materials andequipment as well as for construction or restoration of schools, cyclone shelters, and other facilities.
In post-disaster reconstruction,
to facilitate rapid response andenable the provision of multiple
types of assistance simultaneously,
it is essential to utilize very advanced coordination capabilities.
These projects draw on expertise
across a diverse range of fields andmanages relief efforts through an
integrated approach.
In FY2014, JICS implemented
procurement services for a total ofeight projects ongoing from theprevious fiscal year or earlier years.
These were mainly in countries
located in the Pacific Ring of Fire
volcanic zone.

Note: These are sub-scheme names used for projects decided until March 2015.

A classroom in a completed primary school (Uganda)

Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects

This grant assistance program conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covers economic and social development projects
carried out by Japanese NGOs and public service corporations indeveloping counties and regions. In FY2014, continuing on fromthe previous fiscal year, JICS was commissioned under this scheme
to conduct examination of application documentation andpost-project reports submitted by NGOs and other organizations.

An excavator for river dredging was procured for use in carrying out
anti-flood measures (Indonesia)

Study on Work Ratio of Construction Machine and Labor

These investigations concern grant aid projects that have reachedcompletion. The information provided through these investigations is used by JICA when considering adjustments to budgetary
estimates as part of preparatory project studies. JICS conducts
surveys and analyses of the completed project site situation, materials costs, and the operational situation of the construction firms
involved, including such factors as worker skills, experience, andwages. JICS received the contract for these services in FY2014, andcarried out investigations in four countries in Africa.

11
Development Cooperation and the Role of JICS in ODA

Grant Aid from a humanitarian
perspective, giving urgently
needed funds to assist overseas victims of natural disasters and conflicts as well as
refugees and evacuees. Keyfeatures of the program are therapid procurement and provision of necessary goods, andthe delivery of these goods tothe affected areas. Emergency
Grant Aid delivered throughinternational agencies or the
Red Cross may also be used
to support democratization indeveloping countries, including support for the holding ofelections, and to support the
post-conflict reconstruction
and development process.
In FY2014, JICS provided
procurement agent services
for a total of four Emergency
Grant Aid projects, including
projects ongoing from theprevious fiscal year or earlier
years. This included a new project initiated to assist Guinea
and Liberia in dealing with
the Ebola hemorrhagic fever
epidemic.

Disaster Prevention

Annual Report 2015

The objectives of this scheme
are to assist developing countries in conflict prevention andpeacebuilding efforts throughsuch measures as programs forthe reintegration of former soldiers, collection of small arms,
and ethnic reconciliation.
In FY2014, JICS implemented procurement services for a
total of 14 projects, including
projects ongoing from theprevious fiscal year or earlier
years. Projects included airport
improvement in Afghanistan,
construction work to restore
a water supply system in
Haiti, disposal of unexploded
landmines in Laos, and development of small-scale hydroelectric generation systems
and solar power generation
systems in local village communities in Myanmar.

Environment and Climate Change/ Energy
Program Grant Aid for Environment
and Climate Change (Note)

Japan International Cooperation System

Conflicts and Development

Cross-sectoral issues: Human security, gender equality

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

Operations Other than Those Related to Grant Aid, and JICS’ Involvement

Development Cooperation and the Role of JICS in ODA

12Technical Cooperationrelated Operations

Loan Aid-related
Operations

Multilateral Aidrelated Operations

Procurement Administration Support(Tender) (Saint Kitts
and Nevis)

Ex-Post Procurement
Audit (Bangladesh)

JICS presentation at
the ASEAN Senior
Officials Meeting on
Health Development

Technical Cooperation is a framework forassisting the human resources development, research and development, adoptionof technology, and establishment of programs required for economic and social
development in developing countries. JICA
plays a central role—for example, throughthe dispatch of experts, supply of necessary
equipment, and implementation of humanresource training in Japan—to help build up
issue resolution capabilities and raise ownership in developing countries.
In FY2014, JICS dispatched short-term
assistance staff to four countries to facilitate
the smooth implementation of procurement at JICA overseas offices by providing
operational support for procurement andgathering information on the procurement
environment.

Loan Aid (ODA Loans) involves the loan ofdevelopment funds to developing countries
under such concessionary conditions aslong repayment periods and low interest
rates. Unlike grant aid, loan aid requires
repayment of aid funds. Hence, this modeof aid aims at nurturing ownership of thedevelopment process within the developing
country by promoting the efficient use ofloan funds and appropriate execution ofprojects.
JICS is commissioned to carry out primary
checks of procurement-related documentation prepared by recipient countries. In
FY2014, JICS conducted 361 documentation
checks for projects in Anglophone, Francophone, and Hispanophone regions. JICS
aims to expand its Loan Aid-related Operations and has received contracts for Ex-Post
Procurement Audit and studies aimed at
facilitating the smooth implementation ofLoan Aid projects. JICS has also participatedin the latter type of project with private-sector partners.

Multilateral aid enables Japan to contributeindirectly to the development of developing
countries through subscriptions and contributions to development aid institutions
that are part of the United Nations, andmultilateral development banks, such as theWorld Bank.
Since FY2006, JICS has provided procurement services for multilateral aid-related
programs carried out by international
agencies and organizations, including
project works commissioned by the ASEAN
Secretariat using part of the Japan–ASEAN
Integration Fund (JAIF) established by theJapanese government to support ASEAN
integration.
In FY2014, JICS implemented procurement and study services for a total of 13
projects, including projects ongoing fromthe previous fiscal year or earlier years.

JICS’ Initiatives for Developing New Business
Entry into new fields relating to
global-scale issues

Support for Japanese enterprises’
overseas business expansion otherthan through grant aid

Other priority areas of
the Japanese government

JICS’ own initiatives

New business fields entered
by JICS in recent years are as
follows.
O Geothermal power development (Grant Aid / Loan Aid /Technical Cooperation) (related article on page 19)
O S mall-scale hydroelectric
power generation (Grant Aid)
(related article on pages 6–7)
OG
 rant Aid project involving
service operations and management components which
introduces the concept of PPP(related article on page 8)O Waste disposal (Study aimed
at initiating an SME-related
project)

JICS has received contracts andacted on its own initiative in
relation to support that aims toachieve compatibility between
solving the development issuesof developing countries and theoverseas business expansion ofJapanese SMEs.
O JICA-commissioned study
aimed at initiating an SME
project and contracts received
for collaboration with SMEs
related to a verification survey on the dissemination oftechnologies held by Japanese SMEs (three projects in
FY2014)
O “J-apo” appointment agent service in developing countries:
Targeting Japanese enterprises
hoping to enter Jordan or Pakistan markets, an agent service
for obtaining appointmentswith local companies (commenced in April 2015)

SPORT FOR TOMORROW is a
project by the Japanese government that seeks to make acontribution to the international
community through sports.
JICS has joined the SPORT FORTOMORROW Consortium, andprovided support for the implementation of UNDOKAI (school
sports days) in Malawi (related
article on page 20).

JICS is involved in the following activities as part of its own
initiative.
OM edical Lecture for Travelers(commenced in FY2013)
O Internship conducted in Laos(related article on page 23)

Steam pours from a geothermal well(Ethiopia, geothermal development as
part of a Grant Aid project)

A picture drawn by a child in Malawi
after taking part in an UNDOKAIJICS’ Major Activities in FY2014
JICS’ major activities in FY2014 divide broadly into five themes: (1) grant aid also provided as overseas development support for Japanese companies (pages 13–14), (2) emergency grant aid provided as humanitarian
support (pages 15–17), (3) facility construction projects in which we aim to enhance technologies as a FirstClass Registered Architects Office (pages 17–18), (4) loan aid projects (pages 18–19), and (5) cultivating new
business in the field of sports. These activities will be introduced here by the staff in charge of them.
Amid increasingly diverse non-project grant aid, here we introduce initiatives in recent
years making use of Japanese corporations’ products based on the Japanese government’s Priority Policy for International Cooperation.
Takashi Wakamura
Second Special Project Management Division
Second Management Department

Linking Economic Expansion in Developing Countries with Economic Growth in Japan

Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Local ProductsThis aid involves the donation of equipment and products
produced in regions including the area affected by the Great
East Japan Earthquake* to support economic society in emerging and developing countries. This aid also seeks to increase
the recognition of equipment and products, cultivate ongoing
demand, and contribute to the invigoration of regional economies and recovery of the affected region.
While in April 2015 JICS concluded an Agent Agreement with
the Governments of Mongolia and Jordan for which this aid is

to be implemented, JICS is also going through procedure on
the agreement with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Government of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan requested the provision of medical equipment, which is expected to contribute in the field of healthcare
to the country’s hospitals as well as the Ministry of Health.
* Refers to all regions outside the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as locations within
this area, affected by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Disaster Reduction Equipment
The Japanese government donates superior Japanese disaster-prevention technologies to countries that are vulnerable
to natural disasters with the aim of augmenting their disaster-prevention capabilities. These activities are in line with thepromotion of international cooperation on disaster provisionespoused at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk

Reduction, held in Sendai in March 2015.
An Agent Agreement was concluded for a project in theMaldives in May 2015. We are currently conducting a hearing
investigation to determine the government’s detailed requests
for items.

Sustaining Efficient and Smooth Procurement
In the two new initiatives described above, JICS will continue
to maintain its erstwhile stance of impartiality, fairness, andtransparency. At the same time, as the procurement agent for

the governments of recipient countries we will work to present
various equipment and manufacturer information with the aimof facilitating efficient and smooth procurement.

13
JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Local Products and Japan’s
Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Disaster Reduction Equipment have been introduced to promote the ongoingprocurement of Japanese products. Working to address theincreasingly diverse issues facing international society and meetgovernment policy objectives in line with the newly-released
Development Cooperation Charter, JICS works toward andtakes part in projects aimed at providing a bridge between
development in emerging and developing countries, and theeconomic invigoration of Japanese companies and local communities.
In addition, to facilitate the promotion of Non-Project Grant
Aid for Provision of Japanese SME’s Products through the growing awareness of grant aid, JICS organized the Event to Provide
Opportunities for Using SME’s Products in Japanese ODA , heldin Tokyo in September 2015. This event provided an overview
of aid and organizations, explained future plans, and served as avenue for interaction between SME manufacturers and trading
companies.

Annual Report 2015

Since FY2012, the Japanese government has provided a variety
of non-project grant aid under the phrase of “ODA to support
emerging and developing countries to grow together withJapan” in accordance with the Japanese government’s Priority
Policy for International Cooperation. As part of this ongoing
trend, in February 2015 the ODA Charter was revised as theDevelopment Cooperation Charter by decision at the JapaneseCabinet to align with the doctrine of “ODA that contributes to
the Japanese economy,” prompting more specific initiatives inthis regard.
Through FY2014, non-project grant aid has been provided
in response to the diverse needs of developing countries insuch categories as Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese SME’s Products, Non-Project Grant Aid for Introduction ofJapanese Advanced Products and Its System (Next-Generation
Eco-Friendly Vehicle Package), and Non-Project Grant Aid forIntroduction of Japanese Advanced Products and Its System(Medical Equipment and Welfare Apparatus Package). In addition, the newly introduced themes of Japan’s Non-ProjectJapan International Cooperation System

New Movements in
Non-Project Grant Aid

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Non-Project Grant Aidfor Provision ofJapanese SME’s
Products
Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

(Dominican Republic)

JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

14

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

In this section, we introduce JICS’ role and successes in procuring products produced by
Japanese SMEs to encourage socioeconomic development in the Dominican Republic,
as well as to support the overseas development of Japanese companies via Non-Project
Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese SME’s Products.
Asuka Ichimura
Third Procurement
Management Division
Second Management
Department

P Project Name: Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese SME’s Projects
P Objective: To procure medical equipment for the Luis E. Aybar Hospital (including theprovision of initial operation guidance on some medical equipment), researchequipment for the Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias yForestales (IDIAF), and testing instruments for the Oficina Nacional de Evaluación
Sísmica y Vulnerabilidad de Infraestructura y Edificaciones (ONESVIE)P Counterpart of Agent Agreement: Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development,
Dominican Republic
P Grant Amount: ¥200 million
P Exchange of Notes (Bilateral Agreement): March 11, 2013P Delivery / Completion: February 2015

Supporting Socioeconomic Development in the Dominican Republic with Products from Japanese SMEs
Due to its stable economic growth in recent years, the Dominican Republic has entered the ranks of newly industrializing
economies. However, the country remains characterized bymajor income gaps. The poverty rate is particularly high among
agricultural households in rural areas. Currently, the country
believes that bolstering the competitiveness of its domestic
industries is essential to sustaining ongoing economic growth.
Against this backdrop, the Government of the Dominican
Republic has formulated its National Development Strategy
2010–2030, under which it is undertaking planned development-oriented initiatives.
To support the Government of the Dominican Republic’s
efforts at socioeconomic development, the Japanese government decided to donate products to be procured from Japanese SMEs as Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese
SME’s Products.

Acting as procurement agent for the Government of the
Dominican Republic, JICS is undertaking the appropriate management of grant funds. In line with the government’s requests,
we are procuring items produced by Japanese SMEs for the Luis
E. Aybar Hospital, which provides healthcare services to low-income individuals; the IDIAF, which plays a key role in ensuring
food stability and boosting international trade competitiveness;
and ONESVIE, which examines the earthquake resistance ofbuildings such as schools and infrastructure. Although ONESVIE
was initially outside the scope of this project, it was later included as part of an urgent effort by the Government of the Dominican Republic to create a system for diagnosing the earthquake
resistance of buildings and infrastructure in response to the major economic and social blow that neighboring Haiti suffered as
the result of a large-scale earthquake in 2010.

Procuring Diverse Equipment in Various Fields through Three Executing Institutions
For this project, the executing institutions were divided into
three, each requesting various equipment. However, JICS wasable to handle the procurement swiftly and accurately by leveraging its accumulated experience in Non-Project Grant Aid for
Provision of Japanese SME’s Products and its database of equipment and manufacturer information.
Members of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, the coordinating organization, have created a structure
for positive collaboration and promoted the smooth performance of this project through discussions with various
executing institutions, holding committee meetings, determin

Microscopes for eye examinations, slit lamps(Luis E. Aybar Hospital)

Stakeholder
Comment

ing procurement conditions, and contributing proactively todelivery dates and post-delivery adjustments. These members
have continued to do their utmost to facilitate adjustments byexecuting institutions in ensuing projects.
Many of the SMEs from which equipment was procured areenthusiastic about the opportunity to export their products
through this project. We are aware that executing institutionsin the Dominican Republic have asked for referrals on related
products, which we hope will contribute to the future development of business in the country.

Clean benches and stereoscopic microscopes used for testing andresearch in aseptic conditions preventing the encroachment of bacteria(IDIAF)

Thermostatic incubator used in culturing cells(IDIAF)

Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development is satisfied with the excellent work JICS has performed in procuring products
from Japanese SMEs. Through its provision of a variety of products, institutions within the Dominican Republic are able to meetcitizens’ current needs and provide services more efficiently.

Inocencio Garcia Javier

Vice minister for International Cooperation
Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development

Emergency Grant Aid(Hashemite Kingdomof Jordan)

Jordan continues to face a major influx of Syrian refugees, which are having a major impact on the lives of the citizens of Jordan, their host. Here, we look at JICS’ structures forpromoting procurement operations on this project to provide support in the face of an
ongoing increase in the number of displaced people.
Ryoji Yaginuma
Second Management
Department

Supporting Both Syrian Refugees and the People of Jordanof displaced people from Palestine and Iraq, who are now living
within the country. The country faces a variety of problems,from public finance issues to high levels of unemployment andan income gap between urban and rural populations. Amidthese conditions, the rapid increase in Syrian refugees is startingto have a major impact on the lives of Jordanian citizens, requiring urgent support not only for the Syrian refugees but also
their host community.

Changing Deployment Plans in Response to Migrations of Displaced People

Wheel loaders undergoing inspection prior to shipment

Stakeholder
Comment

Water tankers

Although the initial request was in response to conditions
in northern Jordan, where Syrian refugees were numerous,by 2014 the situation had changed, with refugees moving tocommunities in the center of the country. Accordingly, vehicle
deployment plans were changed, and customs procedures
required more time than initially planned. The amount of effort
required to gather information and make the necessary adjustments exceeded initial expectations, but procurement operations were successfully concluded in January 2015.
This was JICS’ first experience in providing support for displaced people in this way. However, the project enabled us toaccumulate expertise in the urgent procurement of supplies
and equipment, including disaster response. In the case ofurgent procurement, the ability to respond to urgent procurement needs and changes in recipient countries’ needs frommoment to moment is likely to remain an important point for
JICS going forward.

Compactors

On behalf of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Municipalities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I would like to express
my gratitude to the Government of Japan and Japan International Cooperation System for this Emergency Grant Aid to the hostcommunities of Syrian refugees. The procured vehicles are of high quality, in compliance with Jordanian standards, and worked
properly on Jordanian diesel.
I would like to especially thank JICS for their good cooperation and coordination between the suppliers, the ministry, and theEmbassy of Japan, in addition to their follow up and assurance of vehicles delivery and proper operation in municipalities.
Thanks for all who participated in completing this Grant Aid successfully and as planned.

Murad Makhamreh

Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

15
JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

At the end of September 2013, the Japanese government
resolved to step up its support for Syrian refugees and provide
Emergency Grant Aid to communities hosting large numbersof displaced people. Based on its experience in procurement
activities for numerous Emergency Grant Aid projects such as
flooding in Thailand, the decision was made to employ JICS in
this project, and JICS entered into an Agent Agreement with
the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. To
determine the impact of the influx of Syrian refugees in Jordan
and the status of support for displaced people, we conducted
local studies twice. In response to the government’s requests
for such special-order items as water tankers, compactors, andvacuum trucks, JICS conducted surveys on manufacturers ofspecial-purpose vehicles, confirmed technical specifications,and requested estimates while liaising with JICS staff members
in Japan.

Annual Report 2015

Syrian refugees seeking to escape the war that has been ongoing since 2011 continue to flow into neighboring countries. As
of September 30, 2013, the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) had registered some 530,000 displaced
people in Jordan, equivalent to approximately 10% of the country’s population. These people are living in the Za’atari RefugeeCamp in northern Jordan near its border with Syria or are living
in host communities outside camps.
Prior to its influx of Syrian refugees, Jordan had faced inflows

Japan International Cooperation System

P P roject Name: Emergency Grant Aid
P O bjective: To provide drinking water to Syrian refugees and their host community in Jordan and procure special vehicles for processing waste and sewage (69compactors, 9 water tankers, 9 vacuum trucks, 16 wheel loaders)
P C ounterpart of Agent Agreement: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
P Grant Amount: ¥1.0 billion
P Note Verbale (Bilateral Agreement): October 27, 2013
P D elivery / Completion: January 2015

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

Since March 2014, concern about an outbreak of infection from the Ebola virus has madeThe Project to Imple- it difficult to cross into and move within Guinea and Liberia. How was JICS able to promptprovide remote procurement via Japan in response to requests from the governments
ment Emergency Mea- lyof these two countries?
sures in Responses to
P P roject Name: Emergency Grant Aid for the Republic of Liberia (response to the Ebola
the Ebola Virus Disease Guinea
virus outbreak)Yuriko Hayashi
Outbreak
P O bjective: To procure personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, testing
Second Procurement
Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

(Guinea and Liberia)

JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

16

Management Division
Second Management
Department

instruments, and other items for national coordination units and medical institutions
in response to the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Republic of Guinea
P C ounterpart of Agent Agreement: Ministry of International Cooperation, Republicof Guinea
P Grant Amount: ¥389.94 million
P Exchange of Notes (Bilateral Agreement): November 14, 2014

Liberia

P P roject Name: Emergency Grant Aid for the Republic of Liberia (response to the Ebola
virus outbreak)
P O bjective: To procure personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, medical equipment, and other items for the Ebola Command Center in Liberia
P C ounterpart of Agent Agreement: Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Tokyo
P Grant Amount: ¥389.94 million
P Exchange of Notes (Bilateral Agreement): November 12, 2014

Tomoko Nomura
First Procurement
Management Division
Second Management
Department

Conducting Procurement through Remote Operation
Guinea suffered a mass outbreak of the Ebola virus in March
2014, and infection spread to the neighboring countries ofSierra Leone and Liberia as it rampaged throughout West Africa.
In response, at the UN General Assembly held in New York on
September 25 of the same year, Japanese Prime Minister Abe
pledged additional support of US$40 million (approximately¥4.4 billion). In November, a portion of this funding was determined as bilateral emergency grant aid for three West Africancountries (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone). Of these, JICS was
designated the procurement agent for support to Guinea andLiberia.
With the number of infected people rising on a daily basis,entry into Guinea and Liberia was restricted. As meeting directlywith the executing institutions was not possible, this support
had to be provided remotely, via telephone, e-mail, andthrough confirmations and liaison with local coordinators. In
response to rising demand, global supplies were running shortfor personal protective equipment (PPE) needed as the Ebola
virus disease outbreak continued. Through multiple corporate
referrals based on its experience of procuring protective clothing for past projects, as soon as they were located JICS wasable to secure items meeting the various specifications andrequirements. Coordinating with multiple suppliers of protective clothing, goggles, and other items, JICS ourselves arranged
air transport of the items which is usually done by suppliers.
As available cargo space on the day would determine when
the procured materials could be delivered, once delivery arrangements had been made, each day we communicated withtransport companies, asking them to deliver the supplies totheir destination as quickly as possible.

Ongoing Procurement to Contain the Spread of Infection and Prevent Recurrence
Having secured sufficient protective clothing due to support
from other countries, although the Government of the Republicof Guinea is still suffering from the outbreak, JICS is procuring
drugs and other necessary items to meet the needs of Guinea.
Furthermore, responding to a request from the government,
rapid detection kits for the Ebola virus developed via industry–academia collaboration (Nagasaki University and Toshiba
Corporation) have been procured, and local training on theiruse was executed.
Meanwhile, Liberia, where the World Health Organization announced on May 9, 2015, that the disease had been contained,

Rapid detection kit, capable of detecting
Ebola virus genes in 15 minutes (Guinea)

is currently conducting initiatives to prevent another outbreak.
In addition to using thermography as a border measure at
airports, ports, and universities, JICS is steadily procuring beds,
pulse oxymeters, and other items to help enhance medical andhealthcare equipment.
In the event of acute infectious diseases such as the Ebola
virus, local contagion conditions must be identified, and decisions about necessary supplies made rapidly. We believe that
our experience in quickly conducting remote operations tomeet local needs in these two countries is extremely meaningful for future projects of a highly urgent nature.

Professor Jiro Yasuda (second from right) and Assistant Professor Yohei
Kurosaki (left) of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University(NEKKEN) training local staff (Guinea)

Thermography in operation at an airport (Liberia)

Stakeholder
Comment

When the Ebola virus disease outbreak was confirmed in March 2014, the Japanese government was one of the first responders to the Government of the
Republic of Guinea’s requests for aid.
Through this project, we received donations of medical supplies, PPE, and rapid detection kits, as well as training on how to use the kits. This assistance,
immediately received as the number of infected individuals was mounting rapidly, went a long way toward containing the outbreak.
The national coordination unit is extremely thankful for and satisfied with the aid Japan provided. Japan’s contributions have enabled us to near our goalof eradicating Ebola. I believe this cooperation is evidence of the positive relations between our two countries, as described in the proverb “A friend in need is afriend indeed.” I offer my heartfelt thanks to the people of Japan.

Dr. Sakoba Keita

National Coordinator of the Fight against Ebola Virus
Republic of Guinea(Republic of Benin)

Third Construction
Management DivisionFirst Management
Department

P P roject Name: The Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase V)
P O bjective: To construct 47 elementary schools, including 203 classrooms, headteachers’ rooms, and storerooms and toilet blocks and to procure classroom furniture
at 27 sites in the Atacora Department and 20 sites in the Donga Department
P C ounterpart of Agent Agreement: Ministry of Early Childhood and Primary Education,
Republic of BeninP Grant Amount: ¥1,227 million
P Exchange of Notes (Bilateral Agreement): December 5, 2012
P Grant Agreement: December 7, 2012
P D elivery / Completion: October 2015 (planned)

Benin made primary school education free of charge in 2006 as
part of an aim to provide this education for all by 2015. However, the number of facilities was insufficient to accommodate all
the children wishing to attend school. In addition to classrooms
having to house more pupils than their capacities, the educational environment was deteriorating markedly, with classrooms often built of thatch and sun-dried bricks, presenting
safety problems.
Under these conditions, the Government of the Republicof Benin requested to the Government of Japan a grant aid
related to the construction of elementary schools, and thegovernments signed an Exchange of Notes (E/N) on December
5, 2012. The decision was made to make donations necessary
to construct primary schools and provide classroom furniturein the Atacora and Donga departments, in the country’s northwest, and funds were donated based on a Grant Agreement
between the Government of the Republic of Benin and theJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICS enteredinto a procurement agent agreement with the Ministry of Early
Childhood and Primary Education. In addition to managing
overall project implementation, JICS was tasked with procuring
the services and equipment needed to construct the schools.

Ensuring Adequate Quality and Completing Construction within the Allotted TimeJICS analyzed the factors behind the construction delays in the
Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase IV). Doingeverything possible to prevent this project from encountering
similar delays and, taking into consideration the project’s content and scale, JICS established bidding conditions to selectconstruction companies based on the suitability of their technical expertise, financial status, number of personnel, and otherfactors.
After the start of construction, every two months we accompanied our counterpart* on tours of construction sites,
ensuring that quality levels met the standards specified in
the construction agreements and responding to any issues orproblems through joint consultation with Japanese consultants,
considering countermeasures as necessary. In cases involving
changes in sites or the number of components, as well as othermajor project revisions, we promptly made proposals andadjustments for deliberation by the two governments, always
working on the project management front to keep progressfrom being impeded. In addition, Japanese consultants carefully

supervised local construction firms, providing technical management and making every effort to maintain their motivation.
Thanks to these efforts to maintain positive relations, the project proceeded without major mishap, and the construction ofschools at all sites in the Atacora Department were completed
on schedule in November 2014. The remaining construction ofschools in the Donga Department are also slated for completion within the agreed-upon period.
In Benin and other parts of Africa, it is not uncommon for
project completion to be delayed beyond the original plan
period. However, by building a system of collaboration with ourcounterpart, responding quickly to any problems, and managing construction appropriately, we were able to meet therequired conditions and complete construction according to
the prescribed quality level within the allotted time. By sharing
what has been learned through this project, I hope JICS will beable to play a role in project implementation in other countries.
* Counterpart: In international cooperation, the administrative official or technology
officer of the recipient government

17
JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

A Worsening Educational Environment Due to Classroom Overcrowding and Dilapidation

Annual Report 2015

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment: The
5th Project for Construction of Primary
Schools
Mai Izumi

Japan International Cooperation System

The Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase V), whose objective is constructionof elementary schools and providing classroom furniture in the Republic of Benin, is acontinuation of the Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase IV). JICS is involvedin overall project implementation management as the procurement agent for the Ministryof Early Childhood and Primary Education. Here, one of the people responsible for the
project shares what she has learned.

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

JICS’ Major Activities in FY201418

On-site consultant providing instruction

Stakeholder
Comment

Part 2 Description of Projects

Completed classroom

Reference Materials

Children dancing at the transfer ceremony to celebrate the completion of
construction

Inside a bright classroom with a highceiling

The phase 5 of the Project of construction and equipment for primary schools in Benin, which is known as “JAPON5,” is recognized
not only to cover the severe shortage of classrooms and school furniture, but also, to support the Republic of Benin in implementing the policy which targets at the most disadvantaged settlements in the field of education, especially those of Atacora
and Donga. In this sense, the Project contributes to achieve the targets of “Education For All (EFA)” and “Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs).”

Aboubakari Mohamed

Director of Programming and Prospective
Ministry of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Republic of BeninWith regard to loan aid (ODA loans), JICS carries out primary checks of procurement-relat-

Loan Aid-related
ed documentation prepared by recipient countries, as well as performs Ex-Post procureOperations (ODA Loans) ment audits and dispatches experts. In recent years, JICS has made use of its experiencein appropriate procurement procedures for ODA loans into involvement in projects that(Primary Checks,
problems on a global scale, such as promoting geothermal power generation
Ex-Post Procurement address
projects, which require huge amounts of funding and time.
Audits, Dispatch of
Mieko Ishii
Keizo Inoue
Experts, GeotherGrant and Loan Cooperation Support Division
Second Special Project Management Division
mal-related Activities) Third Management Department
Second Management Department

Primary Check of Procurement-related Documents under Japanese ODA Loans (Lot B)
Counterpart of Contract: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
With regard to loan aid-related operations (ODA loans)*1, JICS
has been engaged in primary checks of procurement-related
documentation for JICA since winning a proposal-based competitive tender in FY2004. In these operations, JICS examines
procurement-related documentation prepared and submitted
by recipient governments whether they conform with the
Guidelines for procurement under Japanese ODA Loans andstandard bidding documents. JICS identifies any problems,
unclear items or insufficient information and questions andsubmits them to JICA as English reports. As recipient govern

ments include French- and Spanish-speaking countries, JICS
staff proficient in English, French, and Spanish and familiar withprocurement procedures check these documents swiftly within
the allotted period, usually within three to seven days per case.
To date, JICS has handled projects from Southwest Asia,
Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern
Europe. In FY2014, we conducted primary checks on procurement-related documentation for a total of 361 cases.
*1 Until September 2008, handled by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation(JBIC)

Ex-Post Procurement Audits Related to ODA Loan Projects in FY2012 and FY2013
Counterpart of Contract: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Ex-Post Procurement Audits are conducted by independent
auditors for the purpose of confirming that the finished selection and procurement process for consultants and contractors
required for project implementation were appropriately performed in compliance with the agreements of both countries.
These tend to be projects under STEP*2 conditions and to becontracts involving large contract amounts.
Having won a proposal-based competitive tender for thiswork, JICS conducted these document auditing works for JICA
headquarters. For five projects selected on a random basis, wehave also visited five countries (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal,

Indonesia, and Uganda) to conduct on-site audits of executing
agencies of recipient countries. Following these works, we
submitted audit reports to JICA outlining audit results and any
issues that were identified. Although JICS is rarely involving inthis kind of activity, since FY2011 we have continued to performthese services, which play an important role in ensuring appropriateness in procurement process.
*2 STEP (Special Terms for Economic Partnership): A condition for the use of Japanesetechnology, this system of ODA loan involves the utilization of technologies andexpertise in areas where Japan excels, transferring technologies to developing
countries as “visible aid.” ssistance for Implementation of Toamasina Port Development Project in the Republic of Madagascar
A(JICA’s Technical Assistance)
Counterpart of Contract: The Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of Japan (OCDI)

of an ODA loan it would be essential to reinforce the executing
institution’s capabilities. JICA decided to dispatch consultants
to provide the executing institution with technical support,
including the collection and analysis of information based on
the previous feasibility study and conducting seminars related
to ODA loan procedures.
Commissioned by the Overseas Coastal Area Development
Institute of Japan to undertake this work, to reinforce its cooperation JICS dispatched as a member of the study team a native
speaker of French—the language spoken in Madagascar—who
also has some 10 years of experience related to ODA loans.
Applying the operational experience gained to date, this staff
member provided explanations and instruction on ODA loan
procedures and prepared a procedural manual.

 rocurement of Drilling Contractor under Consulting Works of the Geothermal Resource Evaluation forP
the Construction of Tulehu Geothermal Power Plant

Ex-Post Procurement Audit: Auditat the Bangladesh Telegraph andTelephone Board

Ex-Post Procurement Audit: Construction siteof a project to be audited in Uganda

conditions specific to drilling work. For example, if construction
has to be halted due to drill bits falling off or the emission of
noxious gases, the contract has to include such stipulation ascompensation would be borne not by the drilling company
but by the contractor. This was a lesson for JICS, as contractual
conditions for above-ground and subterranean work differ
substantially.
Having substantial experience in vetting procurement-related documentation on ODA loans, staff familiar with ODA loan
guidelines and standard documentation for tenders were able
to provide guidance based on their know-how on appropriate
procurement for ODA loans and detailed procedural explanations to the local executing agency in Indonesia. As a result,project procurement proceeded smoothly. We realized that thisis going to be also one of JICS’ strengths.
In addition to ODA loans, JICS is involved in technical cooperation geothermal projects in Indonesia (other than Tulehu) andKenya, and grant aid project in Ethiopia. Each of these operations is different in scope, but by pooling the expertise gained
through such projects, we believe JICS will be able to provide a
broad-based response on future geothermal-related activities.
*3 Geothermal well: A well to obtain or survey the steam and hot water contained ingeothermal sources

Madagascar: Toamasina Port, the project site,
facing the Indian Ocean

Madagascar: JICS staff member (right)
explaining ODA loan procedures

19
JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is promoting
the development of renewable energy in response to growing national demand for electricity and as a climate change
countermeasure. As surveys have indicated promising geothermal resources in the city of Ambon, in Malaku Province, plans
have been drawn up to build a geothermal power plant there
to replace aging diesel-powered generators. Accordingly, JICA
has entered into a Loan Agreement with the Government of
the Republic of Indonesia for an Engineering Service Loan of
the Geothermal Development Acceleration Program (Tulehu
Geothermal Power Plant Project <E/S>).
Before building the geothermal power plant, the project calls
for the drilling of four geothermal wells*3 on the construction
site. As part of this process, JICS cooperated with geothermal
development consultants for drawing up tender documents forthe selection of a drilling firm and contract negotiations after
appointment.
JICS played a role of selecting a drilling company for thisproject, which had to drill to a depth of 2,000 meters of underground wells to locate geothermal power. As we can’t expect
what happens in such deep subterranean construction, contract conditions differed from those of typical construction andcivil engineering projects. The agreement therefore contained

Annual Report 2015

Counterpart of Contract: West Japan Engineering Consultants, Inc.

Japan International Cooperation System

Feasibility Studies (F/S) are typically conducted to confirm
project configuration, efficiency, and other characteristics prior
to the extension of an ODA loan. JICA conducted a feasibility
study on a project for the development of the Toamasina Portin the Republic of Madagascar in 2009, but the project was
discontinued due to political instability, and a decision wasmade to review the project. Despite the project being a prime
candidate for an ODA loan, no new loans have been extended
to the Government of the Republic of Madagascar since 1988.
In addition, the executing agency, the Toamasina Autonomous
Port Company, has no history of receiving ODA loans, and is notfamiliar with Japanese ODA Loans procedures, JICA therefore
considered that, in addition to promoting project development,
to ensure smooth project management following the provisionPart 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

The Japanese government launched the SPORT FOR TOMORROW (SFT) Programme in2014 as a way to make an international contribution through sports. As part of the SFT
implementation, JICS was involved in an UNDOKAI (sports day) in the Republic of Malawi
and observed operations in the Republic of Guatemala.

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

UNDOKAI (Sports Days)
as Part of the SPORTFOR TOMORROW Pro- Maki Ueno
gramme in Malawi and First Special Project Management Division
Second Management Department
Guatemala(Observer of UNDOKAI operations in Guatemala)

JICS’ Major Activities in FY2014

20

P Operating Organization: JAPAN SPORT COUNCIL (JSC)
P Contractee: Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA)
P Locations: Matapila Elementary School (Malawi) and Chuixquiac
Tululu, Cementerio Antiguo, and Pasac Primero elementary schools(Guatemala)P Dates held: February 25, 2015 (Malawi), and March 3, 4, and 6, 2015
(Guatemala)Contributing to the Holding of UNDOKAI as a Member of the SFT Consortium
SFT is an initiative of the Japanese government to promote
sports to more than 10 million people in over 100 countries for
spreading values learned through sports and increasing awareness of the Olympic and Paralympic movement to people of all
generations worldwide.
In October 2014, JICS joined the SFT Consortium, a network
to promote public–private collaboration in the promotion of
SFT. JSC commissioned JOCA to conduct UNDOKAI in the Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Guatemala. JICS took partas reinforcement personnel for JOCA in the preparations andoperation of the former.
O Malawi: Working with Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers(JOCV) at Matapila Elementary School, where the event was
held, we collaborated with the school’s teachers to provide
instruction and practice the various games, prepare for the

event, and support operations on the day.
Aiming to help UNDOKAI take root locally, we used locallyprocured items, such as balls for the games and ropes for thejump rope activity. The headbands the students wore weremade by people with disabilities in Lilongwe, the country’s
capital.
O Guatemala: In Guatemala, UNDOKAI were scheduled to takeplace at three schools over the course of a week.
Preparations and operations were handled by JOCV coordinators and local JOCV, and participants took part in yes/no quizzes containing questions about the Olympics andenvironmental education. In addition to observing on thethree days, JICS recorded the UNDOKAI on video to share thecontent of the activities with Japan. This video is available on
the JICS website.

Leveraging Our Experience in UNDOKAI to International Cooperation in the Field of Sports
The teachers and students in the two countries had no idea
what an UNDOKAI was, and because they had no experience ofsuch events as jumping over a long rope, tug-of-war, or races
carrying a ball, they sometimes found it hard to get motivatedand understand the rules. Even though the preparation period
was short, repeated explanations of the UNDOKAI concept andpractice gave the teachers and students a sense of mission, andon the day it was clear that they were competing hard and really enjoying themselves. After the events concluded, teachers in
Malawi made a number of positive comments, indicating that
the UNDOKAI had been meaningful for the students’ growthand suggesting that the event was also fun for the teachers,
as well. Similarly in Guatemala, one comment was that the

Presenting an attractive fan during teamgymnastics (Malawi)

Stakeholder
Comment

Tug-of-war between second-year students(Malawi)

UNDOKAI were dynamic and forward-looking in the way theystimulated friends and allowed everyone to participate. Although we do not know for certain whether local teachers will
carry on the UNDOKAI tradition, I believe that holding the
UNDOKAI was deeply meaningful from the perspective of sharing the joy of sports.
Through its participation in SFT, JICS is embarking on a new
aspect of the Japanese government’s international contribution efforts, presenting an opportunity to communicate these
new activities to people in developing counties, as well as tothe people of Japan. Going forward, we hope to increase ourinvolvement in cultivating and promoting international cooperation activities in the sports category.

Children showing an interest in thevideo camera during recording in video(Guatemala)The group who correctly answered “si”(yes) in the yes/no quiz (Guatemala)By participating in UNDOKAI, we could not only encourage community empowerment, but also build the partnership being sustained among schools. I would
like to request you, the Japanese officials, to keep on assisting us to boost up UNDOKAI here at Matapila zone as well as the whole country of Malawi.

Ephraim Welson

Head Teacher at Matapila Elementary School, Republic of Malawi

Project Office Introduction
JICS has project offices in various aid-receiving countries that act as necessary to facilitate smooth and swift
project promotion in various ways. In this section, the project office staff currently working in individual regions talk about their everyday activities and their offices.

Asia
Cambodia

Office Location: Phnom Penh

Pakistan

Office Location: Karachi

In the country’s capital, Phnom Penh,
Buddhist temples and modern buildings sit side by side in a political andeconomic hub where the Mekong,Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers meet.
Working in the unrelenting sun, we
drip with sweat to promote projects.

Working with bearded staff at thisoffice, which was selected with safety foremost in mind, we do our best
to ensure that Pakistan’s first Grant
Aid for Community Empowerment
concludes successfully. Our two aims
are to (1) ensure projects operateaccording to plan and (2) prevent
embroilment in terrorism and crime.

Myanmar

Office Location: Yangon

Grant Aid for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
The Project for Electrification of Rural Villages, Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), and the Project for Enhancing
Technological Universities in Yangon

Office Location: Vientiane

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Strengthening Health Service Network in
Southern Provinces and the Project for Improving Secondary School Environment in the Southern Provinces
In Laos, we are involved in an education project so-called the “third
school project” and the first healthpreservation project. In addition tothis, we are also pursuing multiple
projects, and have office space thatcan be freely used by staff travelingfrom headquarters in Japan.

AfricaEthiopia

Office Location: Addis Ababa

Program Grant Aid for Environment andClimate Change
The Forest Preservation Programme
Sometimes called the “horn of Africa,” Ethiopia is a leading Africancountry with a population of more than 90 million and strong
economic growth. The capital city,
Addis Ababa, situated at a height of
2,400 meters above sea level and theheadquarters of the African Unionand other international bodies, is also
the location of the JICS project office.
The staff here all work together,collaborating in a harsh climate withclearly defined rainy and dry seasons.

Senegal21
Project Office Introduction

My name is Sue (right in photo), and I work as the local secretary. I
am in charge of facilitating communications with the government
agencies that are our clients in all the projects JICS undertakes,
such as Grant Aid for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding andInternational Agencies and Organizations-related Operations. Frankly
speaking, I’m entirely overwhelmedby my busy works of schedule in aday, but I believe there is real value inwhat we do. I plan to continue doing
my best, including efforts at self-improvement, as I move throughout
the country.

Laos

Annual Report 2015

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Upgrading Primary Girls Schools into Elementary Schools in Southern Rural Sindh

Japan International Cooperation System

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Expansion of Lower Secondary Schools
in Phnom Penh

Office Location: Dakar

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of Secondary Schools in the
Suburb of Dakar Region and the Project for Constructionof Secondary Schools for Louga and Kaolack in Senegal
This project office comprises two Japanese staff and three local
members. The office is located among government buildings incentral Dakar, nearby our counterpart, the Ministry of National Education. Being an Islamic country, on
Friday afternoons after 1 p.m. thestreets are thronged with people andcars on their way to worship. For thisreason, whether going to government buildings or moving about inthe city, we usually travel on foot.

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

NigeriaPart 2 Description of Projects

Office Location: Abuja

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of Classrooms for Primary
Schools in Oyo State

Project Office Introduction

22This is a lonely project office, with nolocal staff. I adopt my slogan of the“3D”of Abuja: “don’t panic”, “don’t hurry”, and “don’t depend on anything.”
My creed is to think quickly and belight on my feet, and I work every
day to promptly provide informationaccording to clients’ conditions andto meet their needs.

Niger

Office Location: Niamey

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of Secondary Schools
in Niger
Our project office in Niger has a staff of three: one Japanese project manager, a secretary, and a driver. This project involves theconstruction of 105 classrooms in
the city of Niamey. Temperatures
are extremely high, exceeding 40°C.
Sometimes the sandstorms are sosevere you can’t see the sun, andsometimes we have power outages
lasting multiple days. We conduct
our operations every day in thisdifficult working environment.

Burkina Faso

Office Location: Ouagadougou

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase V)
and the Project for Construction of the Health and Social
Promotion Centers
We work through numerous persistent discussions together with
Burkinabe people, who are calm
but occasionally rigid in their ideas,
toward the completion of publichealth centers and primary schools
the village people can feel safe tofrequent.

Reference Materials

Benin

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of Primary Schools (Phase V)
Our project office in Benin is small, being staffed with only threepeople, including a secretary and adriver. The remotest of the current
project sites is located some 13
hours by car from the capital city ofPorto-Novo, so getting there is a major challenge. Nevertheless, we aredoing our best as we work toward
the project’s completion.

Malawi

Office Location: Port-au-Prince

Grant Aid for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
The Project for Restoration of Water Supply System for
the Reconstruction of Leogan City
Our project office in Haiti has a staff of four: one Japanese member,a secretary, a driver, and a security guard. The view from our office,

Office Location: Lilongwe

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for Construction of a Teacher Training College
for Secondary School Teachers in Lilongwe
The project office in Malawi opened in September 2010. The Project for the Re-construction and Expansion of Selected Community
Day Secondary Schools involved six schools. Six were completed
in the Phase II and we are currently
working on the Phase III for the construction of 11 secondary schools.
One of the least developed countries
in Africa, Malawi is also known as the“warm heart of Africa.” People here
are very friendly and have sunnydispositions.

Mozambique

Office Location: Maputo

Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
The Project for the Construction of Monapo Primary
Teacher Training Institute in Nampula Province
The Mozambique project office is located in the capital city of
Maputo. Our project location is in
Nampula, around two hours away
by airplane. Even so, the people
involved in the project are pulling
together to make sure the project iscompleted without mishap.

Central and South America
Haiti

Office Location: Cotonou

situated on a low hill about halfway
between the 8-kilometer stretch
that separates the capital of Port-auPrince from the city of Pétionville, isbeautiful.

JICS Recent Events
FY2014 Meetings of the Board of Directors andthe Board of Trustees

Participation in International Cooperation
EventsJICS participates in various types of international cooperation
events, viewing them asopportunities to communicate directly with various
stakeholders and let themknow about JICS’ operations.
In FY2014, JICS had an exhibition booth at Global Festa
Japan 2014 (Tokyo, OctoberIn front of the JICS booth at Global Festa
2014) and One World Festival Japan 2014
(Osaka, February 2015).

First Overseas Internship Conducted in Laos
JICS conducted its first international internship on a trial basis

Personnel Training: Active in Internal Training
and Workshops
JICS works to develop human resources to ensure the smoothness of its operations and to enhance their quality, JICS conducts internal training on the technical specifications of thematerials and equipment we procure. We also invite experts
from outside, such as people at international logistics companies who are knowledgeable in international marine transport,
to provide training at JICS and encourage staff to acquire
trading business proficiency and other qualifications. Some
staff also conduct study sessions of their own accord, including
sessions aimed at passing the business law examination andFrench and other language proficiency tests, as well as taking
part in procurement research groups.
Lecturers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JICA, andprivate-sector companies are invited to speak about futureissues related to ODA and the corporate culture at private-sector companies. Such lectures help in considering JICS’ future
ambitions.
In addition to being a service provider for the Japanese government’s development cooperation business, JICS is considering becoming a service provider in development cooperation
activities to other governments, as well as international organizations. In February 2015, a seminar was led by a staff who had
served as an individual consultant at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Iraq, sharing with otherstaff of JICS the knowledge and experience that internationalorganizations require for their staff.
Through training and study
sessions such as these, JICS
will continue working to improve the quality of the services and to provide services
in new business fields.
Working as a procurement consultant for
the UNDP in Iraq

23
JICS Recent Events

By resolution of the first extraordinary meeting of the Board ofTrustees on September 25, 2014, the description of business in
JICS’ Articles of Incorporation was revised, adding the phrase“design and supervision of architecture and civil engineering
work concerning international cooperation.” In November 25 of
the same year, JICS became a First Class Registered Architects
Office.
In response to the 2004 Major Earthquake off the Coast of
Sumatra and Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, JICS has supported
the Japanese government. This has prompted JICS to become involved as a procurement agent in dozens of countries
throughout the world in projects for the construction of such
facilities as schools, health centers, and vocational schools centered on Grant Aid for Community Empowerment since 2006.
JICS became a First Class Registered Architects Office in the aimof gaining a higher degree of trust for the quality of operations
by obtaining technical expertise, such as survey, design andconstruction management, after the necessary changes weremade to the Articles of Incorporation while making use of theexperience and knowledge gained in the course of these activities.

Annual Report 2015

Changing the Articles of Incorporation to Register as a First Class Registered Architects Office

Japan International Cooperation System

In FY2014, the Board of Directors convened six times, and theBoard of Trustees met twice.
The Board of Directors received appropriate reports fromexecutives on such matters as the management situation andthe state of progress of new business projects. The Board of
Directors also approved the medium-term management plan
beginning in FY2015.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held in June
2014, the trustees expressed opinions from a variety of perspectives concerning how JICS should approach facility construction projects. In addition, at its first extraordinary meetingin September 2014, theBoard of Trustees approveda change in the Articles ofIncorporation required forregistration as a First Class
Registered Architects Officethat would allow an expansion in the scope of activities Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees
to include “procurementin FY2014
agent with technologicalcapabilities.”

at the Laos project office for the five-day period from August
18–22, 2014.
One member of staff and two students from the Universityof Kitakyushu, which is working to cultivate global humanresources, visited construction sites of ODA projects in which
JICS is involved, including the construction of elementary
schools and a healthcare facility, and interviewed and conducted exchanges of opinion between related parties. Participantsalso helped draft an English-language report to the Ministry of
Health and participated in a reporting meeting, taking on thechallenge of translating the tender notice into Japanese.
The program gave the participating students a firsthand lookat the impact of ODA operations, which impressed them in various ways. Their comments included “I don’t think we can findso many internship programs which offer a chance to travel tothe sites overseas and to interview local people directly,” “WhenI saw the enthusiasm with which the elementary school students learned at the school constructed under the ODA projectand spoke with the nurses
who were looking forwardwith anticipation to the completion of the new healthcare facility, I was happy tounderstand the effectivenessof Japanese aid,” and “I would
like to be involved in interStudents (the two at left) interviewing
national cooperation in theteachers about the learning environment
future, and this was valuable at the elementary school constructed
through Grant Aid for Community Emin helping me to select mypowerment
type of work.”

Part 1 Principal Activities in FY2014

Part 2 Description of Projects

Reference Materials

JICS’ NGO Support Activities

Japan International Cooperation System Annual Report 2015

E Outline of NGO Support Activities and Determination of Groups Receiving Support in FY2014

JICS Recent Events

24

JICS has been providing financial support to small and medium-sized Japanese NPOs and NGOs (hereinafter referred to as“NGOs”) that conduct aid activities for developing countries
since 1999, to contribute to the further development of international cooperation activities by civil society groups. WithJICS’ transition to a general incorporated foundation in FY2012,
these activities are classified as planned expenditure for the
public fund.
In addition to such direct business expenses as financial
support for purchasing equipment and materials for overseas
development projects, and for their transportation expenses,
JICS also supports “Network NGO” activities to promote anddevelop NGO activities and “Funds for Strengthening theFoundations of the NGOs.” This includes NGO headquarters
personnel expenses and the costs of preparing public relations
tools that help strengthen NGOs’ foundations. New multi-year
support was introduced in FY2014 in response to increasingly
diverse activity needs from the perspective of strengthening
and augmenting NGO foundations’ capabilities.
To date, JICS’ NGO support has been provided to about 10
groups each year, with a maximum award of ¥1 million per
fiscal year (for multi-year awards, ¥1 million in the first year and¥500,000 in the second year at maximum). In FY2014, 40 NGOs
applied and 13 of these groups were selected to receive support after deliberation by the Selection Committee. Of thesegroups, 12 were selected for single-year awards and one for a
multi-year award. (The NGO names and assistance contents
are presented on page 46 of Part 2.) Through the end of March
2015, a cumulative 174 NGOs have received total assistance of¥140 million.

E Report on Activities and Exchange of Views

In addition to providing financial assistance for activities, theNGO support program holds a meeting each year for activity
reports and opinion exchanges with the NGOs supported, as
well as to exchange opinions and interact with other NGOs andoutside experts.
The FY2014 meeting was heldon October 30, 2014, with 10 of
the groups receiving assistancein FY2012 participating. The
theme of the opinion exchange
meeting was “The Concept of
NGO Activities that Can Elicit
Activity report by an NGO
Empathy from Society.”

K Main Activities Reports

Japan Association for Mae Tao Clinic (JAM)
This organization provides support from Japan for the Mae Tao
Clinic, a clinic for displaced people that provides medical andsocial security services for immigrants and displaced people
from Myanmar living on the Thai–Myanmar border.
The Mae Tao Clinic handles numerous patients with infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, influenza, andtuberculosis. Accordingly, the high risk of infection within theclinic is an issue. For this reason, the organization has createdguidelines on handwashing hygiene and the handling of sharp
instruments. In addition, the organization has conducted aworkshop to establish an inventory management system for
consumables.
JICS’ support included providing supplies in high demand
from local staff, such as masks to prevent infection from tuberculosis and bottles of alcohol, as well as conducting awarenessactivities through guidelines and workshops. These awarenessactivities are sustained on-site through the leadership of clinic
staff.

Going forward, in addition to establishing guidelines related
to tuberculosis, the organization plans to assist the clinic topractice the “5S” standards for hygienic environments (Seiri(Sort), Seiton (Set), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize), andShitsuke (Sustain)) and to increase
the number of local healthcare
workers, through personal training
activities with the aim at returning
those trained workers to partsof Myanmar where healthcare
systems may be lacking.

Haiti-No-Kai

Holding a workshop to raise awareness of guidelines

The Republic of Haiti, located in the Caribbean Sea, suffereda major earthquake in 2010 that resulted in the loss of some
310,000 lives and affected around one third of the country’s
population. In addition, each year Haiti suffers from hurricane
damage, which have left it unable to achieve foodstuff self-sufficiency.
Since 1986, this organization has been working for poor
children in Haiti to provide literacy education and lifestyle guidance, with activities for agricultural support and building farms
to help improve lives in the region.
JICS’ support has involved supplying some 1,800 people
in 300 families within the village of Bonabi, home of a former
Haitian exchange student to Japan, with the equipment andsupplies to build farms. These supplies included seeds andseedlings of beans, corn, cassava (tapioca), and other crops, aswell as guidance on agriculture. The organization’s persistentwork over the years, combined with JICS’ assistance, is showing
clear signs of success by boosting agricultural productivity andhelping the local populace along
the road to economic self-sustainability. The organization is
also conducting public relations
activities targeting Japanesepeople with the theme of “Don’t Agricultural training officer providing
technical instruction on farming
forget Haiti!”

Hammock Tree (Formerly: Caring for Young Refugees Aichi (CYR-A))
This organization has harnessed the growing awareness ofinternational cooperation in Aichi Prefecture since the time of
the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, by forging ties among
youth interested in international cooperation and aged andsenior people with a strong interest in volunteer activities
and linking them with support activities targeting children in
Cambodia.
The organization’s website encourages people with an interest in NGO activities to take part in actual tasks. It also serves as
an important medium for disseminating information about theorganization’s activities. Funds donated by the organization’s
supporters provide an extremely important source of funding
for the organization’s ongoing activities. At the same time, theorganization has found it difficult to build an effective organization for maintaining activities, and responses have becomeslow. JICS’ Funds for Strengthening the Foundations of theNGOs were applied toward the rebuilding of the organization’s
website in order to strengthen
its ability to disseminate information, as well as to hold fund-raising training for 29 members.
Based on the ideas that came outof this training, the organization
has begun such activities as
selling woven fabrics and placing Selling woven cloth sourced locallycoin donation boxes.
as fair trade items and placing coin
donation boxes