1. Outline of the project

As economic development progresses, emerging ASEAN economies are facing various socio-economic challenges and are experiencing a rapid expansion of business based on the use of new innovations such as digital technologies in solving those challenges.
This project aims to support pilot projects which contributes to solving local socio-economic challenges through collaboration with ASEAN and Japanese companies, utilizing the technologies and knowledge of Japanese companies. Through this project, METI will promote the social dissemination of digital transformation (DX) and actively contribute to the study of further dissemination measures in cooperation with governments and industries in each country, as well as to the development of systems necessary to maximize the potential of DX to solve social issues.

2. Period for application

Scheduled from May 9^th (Mon.) to June 30^th (Thu.)

3. Requirements

(1) Eligible entity

• The applicant must be a private business entity with an office or legal standing in Japan and with an actual business presence in Japan.

For ASEAN companies/institutions: Please apply through a Japanese partner who is eligible to apply.

(2) Main requirements

• To specifically identify socio-economic challenges in the country and contribute solutions to them
• To use innovative technologies, such as digital technologies
• To identify ASEAN companies/ institutions* as project partners
• To proceed with the expectation that the business operation will start or continue early (generally within two years after the completion of the PoC) in the target country or in other country within the ASEAN region

* [Definition of ASEAN companies/institutions]

• Large companies and SMEs (including startups), conglomerate, local governments, etc. in ASEAN.
• In the case where any ASEAN local company or organization (including affiliated company) has a capital relationship with the subsidy applicant, the company/organization with the investment ratio of 10% or more of the subsidy applicant will not be eligible. ASEAN local companies and organizations with a 50% or more investment ratio of any affiliate company whose investment ratio of the subsidy applicant is more than 50% and accounted for by the equity method are also ineligible. In addition, the parent companies of ASEAN local companies and organizations (including affiliated companies) and applicants for subsidies are also ineligible.

(3) Expenses to be incurred

Expenses of travel, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, consumable supplies, outsourcing, consignment, printing and binding, assistant personnel, etc.

(4) Subsidy amount^※(注記)1

4. Details of application

This project is based on the contribution from METI to the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC), which was provided in the FY2021 supplementary budget. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will serve as the project implementation secretariat and will conduct public solicitation, adoption, and support for project implementation.

Please contact JETRO office in your country if you want some information for your apply.

Division in Charge

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau