Newsletter Contents:

• Introduction of upcoming DISG Webinar series
• The 2nd Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA) Government-Private Forum
• ADX project introduction in Malaysia (KOBELCO)
• Message from the new Chair of ASEAN-BAC

We will hold the 4th webinar of the series entitled “Upgrading Food Value Chain in Mekong and ASEAN” on February 9th, 2021. In the webinar, key figures from ASEAN and Japan will share the importance of upgrading food value chain in Mekong and ASEAN region with advanced technologies such as digital tech. Also, the speakers from various sectors will provide in-depth information on current situation and challenges in this region as well as their respective organizations’ projects in ASEAN.

As one of the highlight of ASEAN-Japan cooperation, the 2nd Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA) Government-Private Forum will be held online on February 2nd, 2021. CEFIA, which was proposed by the government of Japan, is an initiative to advance the development of environments through businesses lead dissemination of low-carbon technologies.

In addition, we would like to introduce a feature story issued last month about an ADX project. A highlight story here is KOBELCO Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. with a plan to establish an automobile recycling industry in Malaysia through a system that traces the abandoned end-of-life vehicle (ELVs) with the Internet of Things (IoT) and providing an efficient and environmentally-friendly process of dismantling the ELVs and recycle them as parts or usable materials.

Finally, we got a message from the newly appointed Chair of ASEAN-BAC, The Hon. FDr. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty DSLJ Haji Abdul Rahman from Brunei on DISG and ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan.

Introduction of upcoming DISG Webinar series

We will hold the 4th webinar of the series entitled “Upgrading Food Value Chain in Mekong and ASEAN” on February 9th, 2021.

From the government sector, speakers from Mekong Institute and ASEAN Secretariat will share the current situation and challenges in the field of agriculture and food value chain in the region, and expectation to Japanese companies.

From the private sector, four Japanese companies, i.e. Sojitz (Vietnam), Siam Kubota (Thailand), Yamato Green (Cambodia) and JTEC (Myanmar) will share their activities and solutions such as ICT platform for livestock of pig farming, new technologies in agriculture machinery, “All Japan” integrated food value chain enhancement including cold-chain, and capacity-building tools for farmers via smartphone etc.

After the presentations, the speakers will have a panel discussion on the benefits and potentials of the solutions and technologies presented and how they could be applied to our society in the future in both ASEAN and Japan.

Please see here for further details of contents and registration of the 4th Webinar

In the coming weeks, the DISG webinar will continue the series with the 5th and 6th webinar in the fields such as Energy transition/Green growth and RCEP agreement.

Various experts from government, business and academic sectors of ASEAN and Japan will share their insightful views and discuss future potential for ASEAN-Japan economic cooperation in each of webinars, as it always has been in the past webinars. Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

The 2nd Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA)
Government-Private Forum

The Philippines Department of Energy hosted the first CEFIA Government-Private Forum on November 27, 2020. (Photo: METI*1) *1 https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/11/20191128002/20191128002.html

The second CEFIA (Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN) Government-Private forum will be held online on February 2nd, 2021 from 9:00 to 15:30 (Jakarta Local Time).

CEFIA, which was proposed by the government of Japan, is an initiative to advance the development of environments through businesses lead dissemination of low-carbon technologies.

The second forum will hold not only briefings on the current situations of CEFIA’s activities and discussions on approaches to activating financing for low-carbon technologies, but also discussions on contributions to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).

If you wish to attend the forum, please register for the forum and the video conference system via the links below.

• Please click here to register for the forum
• Please click here to register for the video conference system

Note: The ASEAN+3 New and Renewable Energy (NRE) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Forum, which will be held on February 3rd, 2021, is a forum only for government officials. If you complete this prior registration, please select “2 Feb 2021 - 2nd Government-Private Forum on Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA)” alone.

ADX project introduction in Malaysia (KOBELCO)

KOBELCO is aiming to establish automobile recycling industry in Malaysia by developing a system enabling to trace abandoned end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) with IoT and by providing know-how on efficient and environmentally-friendly ways of dismantling the ELVs.

Mr. Tanaka Kiyokazu, Group Manager, KOBELCO Construction Machinery, explained two reasons why they choose Malaysia; 1) to contribute on resolving automobile recycling issues in the country, and 2) political stability and favourable environment for doing business.

When asked about KOBELCO's plan in Malaysia, Mr. Tanaka said that KOBELCO has partnered up with a Malaysian local company, Eco-R Malaysia, to develop two solutions for the establishment of the automobile recycling industry. The first solution is to provide a central management system, which is IoT enabled, to manage and use the information of the ELVs. The second solution is to provide know-how to auto parts vendors so that the automobile recycling industry can be developed.

Mr. Tanaka also added his company’s expansion plan to Johor and Penang, and also to other ASEAN countries, after the current project in Kuala Lumpur. He also emphasized that automobile recycling is just the beginning of KOBELCO’s journey to accomplish a world where metal resources are 100% recycled.

• Please see here for full article of KOBELCO’s project

Apart from KOBELCO’s project, DISG have published 3 other introduction of ADX series including Medring in Vietnam (Healthcare), Fuso Machine Works in Indonesia (Manufacturing), and Sagri in Thailand (Agriculture). Please follow the link for more information on each project.

Comments from the new Chair of ASEAN-BAC

On behalf of ASEAN-BAC Brunei, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the establishment of the Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG), which I strongly believe will be a beneficial platform to explore issues together with multisectoral bodies to overcome the adverse impact of COVID-19 on our economy, and also to explore future ASEAN-Japan collaboration in many potential areas. The pandemic has emphasized on the importance of cooperation to recover together. We are grateful for our close economic tie with Japan in supporting the regional economic integration, especially during the post-pandemic era.

The ASEAN business community through my council strives to aid economic and business recovery in the region through close collaboration, one of the initiatives through the launching of programs and legacy projects. Therefore we look forward to collaborating with Japan who has been a long-term investor in ASEAN through DISG, for Brunei’s legacy project H.I.R.E.D. or Harnessing Impact with Resilient Employability Digitally. We will prepare our workforce for a digital future through engagement in trainings and innovative alliances. This will be in line with the ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan. We believe it will be greatly beneficial for ASEAN and Japan, especially for capacity-building to improve our industrial competitiveness especially with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 on its way. I firmly believe this cooperation will bring our economic ties closer for a prosperous and resilient future together. Let’s Recover, Stronger, Together, Sama-Sama.

Editorial Note

We thank everyone for your interest and support. Please look forward to the future webinar series and information dissemination through newsletters and our website, social media, etc. As announced in this newsletter, the next webinar will be held on February 9th, 2021. The theme is “Upgrading Food Value Chain in Mekong and ASEAN”. Please click here for the registration!

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Mr. KOBAYASHI Hirokazu
Chair of AMEICC DISG Task Force
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore