Japanese technology to fight COVID-19 in Africa and Asia
11 November 2020
TOKYO, 11 November 2020 – Japanese technology and products will help countries in Africa and Asia limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Within the framework of a US$4m initiative of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the developing countries’ capacity to mitigate the impacts of infectious diseases through appropriate technology transfer from Japan, UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Tokyo (ITPO Tokyo) has promoted selected Japanese companies that will provide technology and technical training.
“The companies have been selected from enterprises registered with the Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP), which we operate,” said Yuko Yasunaga, Head of ITPO Tokyo. “Initially, products and technology from 13 Japanese companies – including disinfectant, antibacterial coating and medical waste incinerators - will be demonstrated and transferred to 12 African and Asian countries.”
ITPO Tokyo operates STePP to share information about Japanese technologies, with a focus on health and hygiene-related technology but also technology to protect the environment and benefit energy and agribusiness. The aim is to contribute to the inclusive and sustainable industrialization of developing and emerging countries. Currently, almost 100 companies participate in STePP and over 110 technologies are being promoted.