Guiding Principles/Objectives

Programmes

At the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in July 2000, Japan presented a Comprehensive Co-operation Package for bridging the digital divide consisting of non-ODA (Other Official Flows) and ODA public funding with a total of US$ 15 billion over five years.

The plan is implemented through existing co-operation schemes by non-ODA and ODA public funding. No special framework will be set up for IT co-operation. Recipient countries must follow the regular procedure for requesting funds.

The strategy is based on five principles:
1. Respect for the ownership of developing countries
2. Country-specific approach
3. Co-ordination with donors including international organisations
4. Promotion of South-South co-operation
5. Study of innovative approaches

The objective is to maximise the benefits of ICT on a global scale and to stabilise the international community, by dissolving the international digital divide.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/it/index.html

JICA is responsible for promoting co-operation to achieve the objectives set out in the Comprehensive Co-operation Package.

JICA recognises that ICT utilization seems promising to improve both the quality and the scope of ODA.

Assistance is designed to encourage developing countries to promote an "ICT" by themselves.

It is essential for developing countries to have clear strategies for the promotion of ICT at the national level and to coordinate with other countries at the regional level (e.g. ASEAN Framework Agreement).

Emphasis is put on the need for co-ordination among donors and collaboration with the private sector.

The opportunities offered by ICT have led to a number of reforms of JICA's Assistance System and internal management: transfer of responsibility to its overseas offices, awareness raising among staff about the potential of ICT for development; strengthening co-operation with other aid agencies, universities and private companies; knowledge databases building, setting up of web sites; review of the cost structure of development projects.

JBIC, like JICA, works as an implementing agency.

Since reducing the IT gap is tantamount to reduction in the income gap, and the use of IT will make ODA loan operations more efficient, JBIC is supporting efforts toward the prevalence of IT.

JBIC in ODA loan operations has primarily focused on the telecommunications sector in support of building infrastructure for the more prevalent use of IT. Financial support for telecommunications projects will continue in the countries and regions where private financing is difficult to come by. In addition, since IT is a tool that may be used in a broad range of sectors, JBIC will conduct studies and planning on how IT may be used in various sectors, including poverty reduction, education, public healthcare, and the environment. In the context of making development assistance more effective and efficient, JBIC will also conduct a study and planning on how information systems may strengthen the organisational capacity of project executing agencies.

Click here to view a detailed description of JBIC's strategy.

Areas of Application:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Four Pillars of Japan's ODA Policy on ICT:
1. Raising awareness and contributing intellectually to policy and institution-building;
2. Developing and training human resources;
3. Building ICT infrastructure and providing assistance for network establishment;
4. Promoting the use of ICT in development assistance.

JICA
1. Policy and regulatory framework development
2. Human resources training
3. Infrastructure building: establishment of Multipurpose Community Telecentres in rural areas
4. Promotion of the use of ICT by the private sector
5. Distance education
6. ICT for health
7. e-Government
8. ICT for environment

JBIC
1. Building ICT infrastructure
2. Contributing intellectually to policy and project formation

The Comprehensive Co-operation Package is implemented through a number of programmes including (assistance provided to March 2003):

Grant Aid for IT projects: 19 billion yen for the construction of telecommunication infrastructure, facilities for remote education etc.

Loan Aid for IT projects: 69 billion yen for the construction of telecommunication infrastructure, facilities for remote education etc.

JICA-NET: 2.3 billion yen for the establishment and operation of IT centres in developing countries and Japan for human resources development. 

A more detailed list of programmes is available at:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/it/coop0108.html
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/it/strategy0301.html

JICA is responsible for the technical co-operation aspect of Japan's ODA programs.

Technical co-operation aims at supporting development of capacity that can serve the socio-economic development of the developing countries.

JICA's program includes: 

► Technical Training of Overseas Participants
► Technical Co-operation Experts
► Technical Co-operation Projects
► Development Studies
► Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteers
► Senior Volunteers

JBIC: Notable assistances made in FY2002 include:

1.    North-South Submarine Fibre Optic Cable Link Project in Vietnam: The loan amounted to 10,562 million yen was newly committed for a submarine fibre optic cable between Hai Phong and Soc Trang, as well as 11 landing stations and other facilities.

2.    Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project and Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project in India: These projects, for which ODA loan was newly committed, include IT components such as communication and traffic system for the former and 3D system at the tourist centre and information management system for the latter.

3.    Grant Assistance to IT- related studies: Special Assistance for Project Formation for e-government Project in Fort Bonifacio in the Philippines and Special Assistance for Project Implementation for the IT Application to Road Sector in India have been implemented. In addition, pilot study for formulation of IT master plan for El Salvador was started.

Participation in Multi-donor Programmes:

► UNDP ICT Trust Fund: US$ 7 million
► ITU
► ADB
► infoDev
► Development Gateway Foundation
► Global Development Learning Network (GDLN)
► IDB
► EBRD
► UNESCO

(see the link under "Programmes" for more details)