Specific Programs

(a) Implementation of APEC Strategic Plan for the WTO Agreements Implementation Capacity Building by JICA Scheme

In the WTO, the issue of "Implementation", including the implementation of the Agreement of Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement), has been a major issue for discussions.
APEC, as a regional body for trade and economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, also discussed the issue of implementation and agreed on a "Strategic Plan" in 2000.
As a response by Japan, in 2001, JICA, in cooperation with METI/JISC, conducted a preliminary research to formulate basic plans for the promotion of the WTO/TBT agreement and standards and conformity assessment system in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.

(b) Project-type technical cooperation in measurement

Project type technical cooperation related to metrology (Paraguay:2000 - 2002, Thailand:2002 - 2006) is made through the dispatch of experts, acceptance of trainees and transfer of related facilities.

(c) Joint Promotion Project

In order to contribute to the construction of networking though sharing information, knowledge and experience among related organizations, JICA and METI have contributed to human resource development in fields of standardization since 1996.
The 11th, 12th and 13th seminars will be held in the Philippines with the support of BPS in September 2001, in Singapore with the support of PSB in February 2002, and in Thailand with the support of NIMT in March 2002.

(d) Seminars under the framework of APEC

We will hold the seminars with the cooperation of APEC economies using the APEC/TILF(Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation) scheme. Seminars are scheduled in international standardization and conformance (Malaysia, 2002), rice moisture measurement (Thailand, 2002) and quality systems in national metrology institutes (China, 2002).

(e) Active support for ISO/WTO workshop regarding technical cooperation with developing countries

ISO/DEVCO (Committee on developing country matters) has been discussing technical cooperation to assist the capacity building of developing countries in international standardization activities. We shall actively support one of the projects that will be held in Bangkok.

(f) Active support for IEC/APSG

IEC/APSG (Asian Pacific Steering Group) agreed to establish APRC (Asian Pacific Regional Center) in order to promote activity of IEC and diffusion of IEC standards, and to ensure that IEC standards reflect region-specific conditions. The opening ceremony will be held in February, 2002. JISC is committed to active support for the international standardization activities of the Asian Pacific area.

(g) United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO) project

With the cooperation of UNIDO, JSA has developed educational materials and conducted seminars in a project to promote industrial standardization and quality control in developing countries. The seminars will be held in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar in December 2001.

(h) Japan-ASEAN TQM Project

The five-year TQM Project officially began in April 1995, following the agreement between the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the Minister of International Trade and Industry in October 1993. In August 2000, the second phase project was agreed officially in response to ASEAN countries' requests. A five-year implementation plan for this project commenced in 2000.
In the implementation of this project, the UNIDO project, development plan studies and the acceptance of trainees through JICA or AOTS schemes have been utilized. The Japan-ACCSQ (ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality) meetings have been held periodically for the purpose of reviewing and coordinating these activities.