To meet the growing needs among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for assistance in overseas expansion, the "Conference on Supporting SMEs in Overseas Business" met for the fourth time today and revised the "Framework for Supporting SMEs in Overseas Business," which was formulated in June last year. With the participation of new organizations, such as the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the structure for supporting SMEs in overseas business has been strengthened.

(1) Enhancement of the support structure based on an the "all Japan" team

- The JFBA, JICA, Japan Overseas Development Corporation (JODC) and the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) have joined the conference as new members.

- Through an improved one-stop support structure that incorporates the viewpoint of SMEs, assistance more suited to the needs will be offered.

(2) Reinforcement of industry- and sector-specific marketing assistance that takes advantage of Japan's wisdom, craftsmanship and kansei (sensibilities), such as the marketing of services under the Cool Japan concept as well as food products and environmental technologies

- Adoption of outstanding products and technologies of SMEs in environmental and other ODA projects

- Assistance for feasibility studies for overseas business in various fields

(3) Diversification of forms of financing for overseas business and enhancement of capital

- Diversification of local financing channels for overseas subsidiaries of SMEs

(4) Acceleration of the development of human resources for overseas business, especially young Japanese professionals

- Support for the development of young Japanese professionals by dispatching them to companies operating in developing countries

(5) Improvement of both physical (hard) and institutional (soft) business infrastructure in the destination country by means of ODA and other schemes

- Legal assistance in SMEs' operations for overseas business

• Appendix: Framework for Supporting SMEs in Overseas Business (revised edition)(PDF:705KB) (in Japanese) (English version under preparation)
• Summary of the revised framework(PDF:444KB) Updated on June 11, 2012

• Establishment of the “Framework for Supporting SMEs in Overseas Business”
  - Comprehensive assistance to SMEs advancing into overseas markets -

March 12, 2012

International Affairs Office, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency