JICA intends to finance energy and infrastructure projects in Ukraine instead of USAID.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will explore the possibility of supporting energy and infrastructure initiatives in Ukraine that were previously funded by USAID, said Hideki Matsunaga, head of JICA’s Ukrainian office, at the 5th Ukrainian-Japanese forum. Additionally, Ukraine has new opportunities for exporting products to Japan.

The head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and representatives from Japanese companies Zensho and Maekawa, along with JICA, have discussed the potential for supplying Ukrainian goods to Japanese restaurants. Zensho is considering purchasing agricultural products and establishing a processing plant in Ukraine to produce traditional Asian udon and ramen noodles.

The company highlighted the need for vegetable storage facilities in Ukraine, as the lack of such facilities results in 35% of vegetables failing to reach consumers. They also aim to enhance cooperation in food technology, meat cattle breeding development, rice cultivation, and dairy production.

Zensho Holdings is Japan’s largest company in public catering and food production, with extensive global agricultural product purchases.