Report] ICETT's Voluntary Project: Supporting Overseas Expansion of Companies Related to Plastic Resource Recycling

Summary

　ICETT aims to formulate projects within the framework of JICA's "Business Support Program for Small and Medium Enterprises and SDGs" to support the entry of companies with excellent environmental conservation technologies into Pacific island countries as part of their efforts to recycle plastic resources. This year, ICETT held a seminar and study session in Nagoya City and conducted a basic on-site survey in Fiji.

Background and Objectives

 　In response to the Japanese government's "Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy" (dated May 31, 2019), ICETT hopes to contribute to solving global environmental and waste issues through environmental technology transfer.
　In particular, small island developing countries in the Pacific region are faced with the problem of waste disposal, including waste plastics, due to their narrowness, isolation, remoteness, and oceanic nature. JICA, which has been implementing technical cooperation projects related to waste management in the region for many years, has high expectations for solutions through the technical capabilities of companies.

Contents

(1) Seminars and workshops

　On February 4, 2020, "Seminar and Study Session on Environmental Business Potential in Pacific Island Countries" was held in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

　There is currently insufficient knowledge about Pacific island countries, including general overviews. While Pacific island countries are blessed with rich tourism resources, they are also vulnerable to the impacts of population growth and global warming, making it necessary to take environmental conservation into consideration. In this session, we provided participants with information on the potential of environmental businesses, especially waste-related businesses, in these regions, and also provided a forum for a question-and-answer session and exchange of opinions.

(2) Conduct basic survey in Fiji

　A basic field survey was conducted in the Republic of Fiji (Viti Levu Island) for 14 days from February 22 to March 6, 2020. The main objectives of this survey were the following three items

1. Understanding the current status and issues related to waste (especially plastic waste)
2. Collection of information for business feasibility study by Japanese companies with plastic waste treatment technology
3. Participation and information exchange in a joint public-private economic mission to Fiji organized by the Pacific Islands Center (PIC), an international organization 

　In the field, we were able to meet with a total of nearly 30 organizations, groups, and officials, including the Ministry of Water and Environment, JICA Fiji Office, J-PRISM project experts, local governments, hotel and tourism associations, manufacturers, companies involved in recycling, and universities. At each destination, we were able to collect local information and introduce waste plastic treatment technologies of Japanese companies.

Recycling station in Lautoka city (installed under the JICA J-PRISM project)

Results and Prospects

　The seminar/workshop provided participants with basic information on the current situation in Pacific Island countries and allowed them to network with companies and organizations interested in Pacific Island countries.

　The field survey confirmed that demand for improved waste management in Fiji is high and urgent. In addition, the local government, local authorities, and companies had very positive and high expectations for the waste plastic treatment technology of Japanese companies.

　The results of the field survey will be provided to interested companies as the second study session (however, the timing, form, and method of implementation are under consideration from the perspective of preventing the spread of the impact of the new type of coronavirus infection), and preparations will be made, including a return visit to Fiji, to form a project within the framework of the JICA "SME/SDG Business Support Project". We will continue our preparations, including a return visit to Fiji, with the aim of forming a project within the framework of JICA's Business Support Program for Small and Medium Enterprises and SDGs.