Jica’s PPP push prioritizes agri, energy, wastewater treatment projects

MANILA  -The Japan International Cooperation Agency is revving up its efforts to help promote public-private partnership (PPP) projects that involve Japanese firms and their Philippine counterparts.

But instead of big-ticket, flagship infrastructure projects, Jica’s PPP push focuses on initiatives that are related to agriculture, wastewater, energy and natural disasters, and using frontier technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

Jica, in cooperation with Philippines-based startup ecosystem Techshake, organized last week a business-matching event to showcase innovations that support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

The SDGs relate to ending poverty; eliminating hunger; ensuring good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible production and consumption; climate action; life below the water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; and partnerships to achieve the goals.

Supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, the online business matching event attracted 800 participants from the Philippines including national and local government staff, academe, and private sector representatives working all over the country.

Jica said that through the event, 10 Japanese companies presented their unique and innovative technology in the fields of disaster risk management, environment, and agriculture.

The Japanese companies included Spectee Inc., (using AI technology to address disasters); Daisho Co. Ltd, (slope protection technology that prevents landslide disasters); Aster Co. Ltd. (unique coating material for quake resiliency); OM MFG Co. Ltd. (unique wastewater treatment system), and Kanazawa Engineering Systems Inc. (recycling technology of waste cooking oil to the fuel).

There were also Hinode Sangyo Co. Ltd., (wastewater treatment system utilizing biological method); FujiClean Co. Ltd. (decentralized wastewater treatment system with biofilm); Daikyo Giken-Kogyo Co. Ltd., (insect trap sheet that farmers can use instead of pesticides); King Coal, Ltd. (products for addressing new Panama diseases in banana plantations); and MKP Inc. and Berg Earth Co., Ltd. (cocopeat technology that hydrates crops).

“Jica’s PPP promotion program aims for win-win impacts both for beneficiary countries such as the Philippines, and for Japanese companies’ business deployment,” said Sakamoto Takema, the agency’s chief representative in the Philippines.

Sakamoto said in a statement that Jica implements PPP pilot projects that sustainably address and resolve Philippine development challenges.

He said the PPP path is a positive next step to share Japan’s unique innovations in a potential market like the Philippines.

“The private-sector introduces solutions, while also promoting self-help efforts through win-win partnerships,” Sakamoto said.

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https://business.inquirer.net/397162/jica-da-roll-out-value-chain-project-to-grow-ph-vegetable-sector