Business Matching
Time: December 7-9, 2023
Place: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Hosted by: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Co-sponsored by: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mongolia-Japan Human Resources Development Center (MOJC)
From December 7 to 9, JETRO sponsored and JICA and MOJC co-sponsored the “Mongolia IT Mission,” an overseas field trip to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 17 participants from 12 Japanese companies/organizations took part in this mission. The mission included a visit to a Japanese-style technical college in Mongolia, a business networking session co-hosted with a local commercial bank, and observation of various ICT and digital industry-related events organized by JICA (click here for the introduction page in JETRO Business Brief).
Several participants in this IT mission commented that the program was “very fulfilling” and “useful in finding partners,” and other comments were made in appreciation of the program’s utilization of JICA’s connections with the field and stakeholders.
JICA will continue to promote business collaboration between Japanese companies/organizations and Mongolian companies in cooperation with JETRO and MOJC.
Mongolia IT Mission Program
Day & Time Schedule Thursday, December 7 AM ・Visit Mongolia-Japan Human Resources Development Center (MOJC) PM ・Visit National College of Technology attached to the University of Science and Technology
Visit and participate in ICT/Digital job fairs
Visit to Mongolian ICT companies December 8 (Fri) AM ・Participation in MICS2023, networking PM ・Visit New Mongolian National College of Technology
Evening visit to Mongolian ICT companies ・Business Matching co-organized with Trade Development Bank of Mongolia (TDB) Saturday, December 9, AM ・Participation in MONJA, networking with startup companies
Visit to Trade Development Bank of Mongolia (TDB) PM ・Participation and observation of DXCUP2024
JICA-sponsored ICT and digital industry-related events participated in this mission
JICA’s cooperation in Mongolia in the field of private sector development, ICT and digital sectors include the “Mongolia-Japan Human Resources Development Center Business Human Resources Development and Exchange Center Functional Enhancement Project Phase 2” (GIPRO, April 2020 – April 2013), “Mongolia ICT and Digital Industry and Start-up Promotion Mongolia Open Innovation and Co-creation for SDGs (MICS)” (July 2023-February 2012). The company is currently implementing several projects.
Of the following events observed during the mission, (1) to (3) are currently underway at the “Mongolia ICT/Digital Industry and Start-up Promotion Information Collection and Confirmation Study” and (4) is currently underway at the “Mongolia Open Innovation and Co- (4) is being conducted under the Mongolia Open Innovation and Co-creation for SDGs (MICS).
(1) ICT/Digital Job Fair for local students in the ICT field
With the aim of matching new graduate recruits, an exchange event between companies and DX/ICT/engineering university students was held. 19 companies, including 4 Japanese companies, participated, and about 200 students visited the event. Participating companies gave individual explanations at their booths, and 16 companies gave presentations.
(2) DX Business Contest (DXCUP2024) for students from both Japan and Mo.
Aiming to develop human resources in DX, ICT, and digital engineering, this is a business plan contest for technical college and university students to compete for digital technologies and services that contribute to Mongolia’s development challenges. The contest has been held twice in the past and the 3rd contest was held in December 2023. The third contest was held in December 2023. Out of a total of 57 teams that applied, nine teams from Mongolia, one joint team from Wakayama University and the Mongolian National College of Technology, and three teams from Hokkaido presented their ideas. The event was hosted by the Mongolian Ministry of Education and Science, co-hosted by JICA and others, and supported by the Japan Deep Learning Association, Gotanda Valley, Shinagawa Ward, the National Institute of National Colleges of Technology, and others. A total of five IT companies from Japan and Mo participated as co-sponsors (see here for event details).
(3) Mongolia Start-up Support Program (MONJA)
This is a start-up support program that has been implemented in Mongolia since 2021. The program is co-hosted by MOJC and MOBICOM, a leading Mongolian telecommunications company and a consolidated subsidiary of KDDI Corporation. The third round of the program was held from August to December 2023, and three startups were carefully selected from more than 80 applicants and provided with a three-month support program. The official name of the program is “MONJA STARTUP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM,” or “MONJA” (click here for event details).
(4) Open innovation aimed at solving social issues in Mongolia (MICS2023)
The Mongolia-Japan Partnership is a co-creation platform that supports collaboration by bringing together technologies, ideas, and funds from industry, government, and academia in Japan and Mongolia to solve social issues in Mongolia. The project is organized by JICA and others, supported by KDDI Corporation, TDB, and SOS Medica Mongolia, and sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Economy and Development, and the Ministry of Digital Development and Telecommunications. The official name of the project is “Mongolia Open Innovation and Co-Creation for SDGs (MICS) 2023,” also known as “MICS” (click here for event details).
Listening to an explanation of JICA projects at MOJC
Listening to an explanation of the New Mongolian National College of Technology
A representative of Nash Tech explains the company
ICTDigital Job Fair
Participants listening to the DXCUP2024 presentation
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