Expand JETRO budget on the "One Village One Product" (OVOP) initiative

Yokohama Action Plan: [2]Scale up "Aid for Trade" to increase the global competitiveness of African countries by accelerating assistance including Japan’s "Development Initiative for Trade" and support the early, fair and balanced conclusion of the WTO Doha development Agenda negotiations.
[3]Assist product development and export promotion in Africa, by further promoting One Village One Product (OVOP) initiative.

Proposed Measures by Japan/Implementing Partners: ● Promote "One Village One Product" initiative, based on the "Development Initiative for Trade", by establishing a new comprehensive framework to improve African products’ market access to Japan by
(i) providing consultation on African products,
(ii) dispatching experts from Japan to Africa,
(iii) inviting African people for marketing research,
(iv) holding business seminars,
(v) supporting African companies participation in trade fairs in Japan,
(vi) implementing Development and Import Schemes to assist Japanese companies in commercializing African products

Potential Resources, Possible Contributions: GoJ(METI)/JETRO: expand JETRO budget on the “One Village One Product” (OVOP) initiative

Status: Main achievements are as follows; opening of "One Village One Product Market" in Narita and Kansai both International Airport, organization of OVOP exhibition in METI and MOFA and selling of items of OVOP in convinience-store, training seminar of OVOP, support for the "FOODEX 2010", offering of "Product Consultation/ Evaluation Service" to African companies and comprehensive support to firms with products found to have high potential in the Japanese market through the Consultation/ Evaluation Service, implementation of the "Pilot Demonstration Project for Development and Import Schemes". (see more details)

Status: (i) Launched a comprehensive new mechanism, "Access Japan! -Mechanism for African Products to Enter the Japanese Market-". Adopted 4 items including (a) mixed spice, (b) dried vegetable, (c) organic vanilla beans, (d) jam and herbal tea, for the "Pilot Demonstration Project for Development and Import Schemes" a part of "Access Japan! -Mechanism", (ii) On 21 November, 2008 "JETRO Africa Business Seminar" on South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria was held in Japan. (iii) Operated "OVOP" market at Naria and Kansai airports.