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BALKAN BALKAN BALKAN NEWSNEWSNEWS

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY

No.11/2016 Summer

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

IntroductionIntroductionIntroduction P1P1P1

SerbiaSerbiaSerbia P2P2P2

Serbia, Serbia, Serbia,

Montenegro, Montenegro, Montenegro,

Albania P3 Albania P3 Albania P3

Macedonia P3Macedonia P3Macedonia P3

Bosnia and Bosnia and Bosnia and

Herzegovina P4 Herzegovina P4 Herzegovina P4

Albania P4Albania P4Albania P4

Albania P5Albania P5Albania P5

Senior Volunteers P6Senior Volunteers P6Senior Volunteers P6

For more information, please contact:

bk_oso_rep@jica.go.jp

or visit:

www.jica.go.jp/balkan/office/

For previous issues:

http://www.jica.go.jp/balkan/office/

others/newsletter/index.html

www.youtube.com/user/JICABalkan

JICA INTRODUCTIONJICA INTRODUCTIONJICA INTRODUCTION

JICA Follow-up Cooperation in Balkan Region

Follow-up cooperation, as program for maintaining and developing effective results of Japa-

nese technical cooperation, has two main purposes.

The first one is to extend project life as hard-type follow-up cooperation by repairing equip-

ment and facilities provided through technical cooperation or grant aid.

The second purpose is to maintain and expand the achievements of technical cooperation

known as soft-type follow-up cooperation. It is accomplished by providing assistance to ex-

participants of training courses in Japan, or counterparts of past technical cooperation, when

they engage in seminars, research, study or creating manuals.

Some of the successful examples of soft-type follow-up cooperation, in Balkan region, are

introduced here.

MACEDONIA

An employee of the Food and Veterinary Agency, who

participated in JICA training course in Japan, applied for

a follow-up cooperation with an aim to improve the level

of people’s awareness for food sanitation in Macedonia.

Although Macedonia has been implementing new legis-

lation in accordance with the EU requirements, there

was no presentation of these standards in the public,

mainly due to lack of finances.

Through this follow-up project, the Food and Veterinary

Agency succeeded in making a good impact on the soci-

ety regarding food sanitation habits and the knowledge

about food safety. Some of the project activities included preparation and publication of pro-

motional material and educational presentations and seminars in 5 municipalities.

KOSOVO

After learning about Japanese export promotion policies

and measures at JICA training course in Japan, an em-

ployee of the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support

Agency (KIESA) applied for a follow-up cooperation with

an aim to improve the role of his institution in effective

and strategic promotion of Kosovo companies and prod-

ucts abroad.

The project enabled KIESA acquire necessary

knowledge on effective export promotion by participating

in FOODEX Fair in Japan in March 2015, where they

presented products of selected companies from Kosovo.

Promotional material for food safetyPromotional material for food safetyPromotional material for food safety

Kosovo booth at FoodEx fairKosovo booth at FoodEx fairKosovo booth at FoodEx fair

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SERBIASERBIASERBIA

INVESTMENT PROMOTIONINVESTMENT PROMOTIONINVESTMENT PROMOTION

BREAST CANCER CONTROL PROJECTBREAST CANCER CONTROL PROJECTBREAST CANCER CONTROL PROJECT

At the request of Development Agency of Serbia (hereinafter DAS), JICA dispatched an advisor for investment promotion from

May 2015 to June 2016.

After having conducted interviews with the companies which are already operating in Serbia or in the region, the investment pro-

motion advisor analyzed Serbian industrial structure and investment trends. Moreover, he came up with some suggestions and

task analysis regarding the investment promotion and Serbian investment potential.

In June 2016, two officials from DAS were invited to Japan to attend a seminar on Serbian investment climate. More than seven-

ty Japanese companies participated in the seminar and some of them have already expressed interest in Serbia.

JICA will continue discussions related to the cooperation with Serbian government in the above mentioned field.

Compared to the other European countries, in Serbia, breast cancer causes high mortality rate and it urges for an action.

As a response to this, in December 2015, JICA launched a “Project for Improvement of the National Breast Cancer Prevention

Program” which will be implemented for the period of three years. So far, JICA has dispatched experts who conducted verifica-

tion and analysis of the tasks and current situation related to the prevention of breast cancer in Serbia.

In June 2016, counterpart training program was organized in Yokohama. Through the cooperation with Yokohama City and

Yokohama City University, Japanese breast cancer prevention program was presented through the site visits and lectures.

Seminar on investment climate in SerbiaSeminar on investment climate in SerbiaSeminar on investment climate in Serbia Representative of DAS holds a presentationRepresentative of DAS holds a presentationRepresentative of DAS holds a presentation

Site visit Site visit Site visit Lecture for the training participantsLecture for the training participantsLecture for the training participants

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SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIASERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIASERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA

EXPERT FOR TOURISM PROMOTION IN BALKAN REGION (SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA) ARRIVESEXPERT FOR TOURISM PROMOTION IN BALKAN REGION (SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA) ARRIVESEXPERT FOR TOURISM PROMOTION IN BALKAN REGION (SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA) ARRIVES

MACEDONIAMACEDONIAMACEDONIA

STUDY AND SEMINAR ON ECOSYSTEM BASED SOLUTION FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (ECOSTUDY AND SEMINAR ON ECOSYSTEM BASED SOLUTION FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (ECOSTUDY AND SEMINAR ON ECOSYSTEM BASED SOLUTION FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (ECO---DRR)DRR)DRR)

In May 2016, JICA implemented the Study on Ecosystem Based

Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and organized

the Seminar of Eco-DRR in Macedonia. Recently Japan positively

transmits information of Eco-DRR and attracted attentions in the

world. JICA also strengthen its commitment to Eco-DRR.

For Macedonia, JICA supported the Project on Development of

Integrated System for Prevention and Early Warning of Forest

Fires to establish a system for corresponding disasters from 2011

to 2014. As an outcome of the Project, Macedonia Crisis Manage-

ment Centre (CMC) which was a main counterpart of the Project

maintains a system for disaster risk reduction in collaboration with

Public Enterprise Macedonia Forest (PEMF).

Analysing natural environment and benefit of forests through site

surveys in Macedonia, adaptation and needs of Disaster Risk Re-

duction by utilizing ecosystem was confirmed. Based on the result

of the study, possibility of further cooperation will be considered

with CMC and relating institutions in Macedonia.

Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia are rich in tourism resources, var-

ying from the historic cities, archaeological remains and abandoned

fortresses of different conquerors, to the natural resources of Bal-

kan mountain range, Danube River, different valleys and lakes

spanning across the region.

Although Japanese visitors to Croatia are increasing every year,

those to Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia are less than 10% alto-

gether. Shared current challenges for those three countries include

differentiation of tourism products to earn competitive advantages

against other popular touristic destinations in East or West Europe,

their shortcomings in foreign tourism market information including

Japanese market, and others.

In order to address these challenges, a Regional Tourism Advisor

has been dispatched since May 2016. A series of activities are

planned both nationally and regionally, aiming at establishing ulti-

mately a sustainable tourism promotion mechanism. Planned ac-

tivities include: full participation in Tourism EXPO Japan, organiza-

tion of fam. and media tours for selected private tour companies

and media representatives in Japan, regular exposures to popular

SNS, Japanese web blogs, and cooperation with other medias in

the region, including writing articles for the in-flight magazines, to

name a few.

Regional Tourism Advisor, Mr. Makino, Regional Tourism Advisor, Mr. Makino, Regional Tourism Advisor, Mr. Makino,

at National Tourism Organization of Serbiaat National Tourism Organization of Serbiaat National Tourism Organization of Serbia

Seminar on EcoSeminar on EcoSeminar on Eco---DRR in Macedonia DRR in Macedonia DRR in Macedonia

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ALBANIAALBANIAALBANIA

BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINABOSNIA and HERZEGOVINABOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA

TERMINAL EVALUATION ON THE PROJECT FOR IMPROVING IT EDUCATION AT MIXED SECONDARY TERMINAL EVALUATION ON THE PROJECT FOR IMPROVING IT EDUCATION AT MIXED SECONDARY TERMINAL EVALUATION ON THE PROJECT FOR IMPROVING IT EDUCATION AT MIXED SECONDARY

SCHOOLSSCHOOLSSCHOOLS

In May and June 2016, a terminal evaluation on the pro-

ject for Improving IT Education at Mixed Secondary

Schools with Gymnasia Course was implemented. The

Project commenced in 2014 and will be finalised in Au-

gust 2016. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, JICA started

providing assistance to improve education of Information

Technology (IT) in 2005 by assisting Mostar Gymnasium

in the City of Mostar where was heavily affected by Bos-

nia Herzegovina conflict in 1990’s. After the cooperation

to the Gymnasium, JICA has implemented and expand-

ed three phases of projects to cover all gymnasiums and

mixed secondary schools with gymnasia course, and

improved standard of IT education throughout the coun-

try.

Furthermore, the projects were engaged in establishing

Common Core Curriculum of Information Technology for

providing standardised education regardless of ethnici-

ties. Finally, the curriculum which was compiled through

the Project activities is authorized and published in the

Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Though establishing common curriculum in Bosnia and Herzegovina which has dif-

ferent curriculums by ethnic groups is big challenge in IT education, the project left a first step for unity.

Three pilot projects are being implemented at three cities

namely Tirana, Cerrik and Vau I Dejes. In Tirana, the

survey on the amount of the recyclable waste has been

conducted by the project team. In accordance with the

result of the survey, the collection rule has been drafted

after the discussion with recyclers. As a next step, a plat-

form for collecting bags is expected to be installed soon.

After the local elections held last year, most of the mu-

nicipalities are still under the process of integration and

merger this situation hinders the smooth operations of

various municipal works including waste management.

Project team is, however, dealing with the situation in a

flexible manner to make the pilot projects successful.

Implementation of pilot projectsImplementation of pilot projectsImplementation of pilot projects

PILOT PROJECTS FOR 3R PROMOTION BEING IMPLEMENTED PILOT PROJECTS FOR 3R PROMOTION BEING IMPLEMENTED PILOT PROJECTS FOR 3R PROMOTION BEING IMPLEMENTED

Gymnasium in the City of MostarGymnasium in the City of MostarGymnasium in the City of Mostar

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ALBANIAALBANIAALBANIA

ODA SEMINAR HELD IN TIRANAODA SEMINAR HELD IN TIRANAODA SEMINAR HELD IN TIRANA

On 31st May 2016, JICA Balkan Office hosted a seminar on Japanese ODA Co-

operation in Albania. The seminar was a great opportunity to introduce the basic

policy, principles and characteristics of ODA in Albania through the presentations

of past and current projects, implemented by JICA in this country. About 70 par-

ticipants, including the former Ambassador of Albania to Japan, key personnel

from the Ministries cooperating with JICA on projects in Albania, as well as other

representatives of the counterpart organizations, attended the seminar in Tirana.

On behalf of the Government of Albania, H.E. Ms. Milva Ekonomi, Minister of

Economic Cooperation, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship, expressed sincere

gratitude and appreciation for the long-lasting cooperation with the Government of

Japan and JICA. In her opening remarks, Ms. Ekonomi stressed the importance

of the experience, knowledge and skills the specialists from public administration,

gained through participation in JICA training programs, further implementing them

in their daily working process. Moreover, she expressed her utmost appreciation

for the grant aid in the field of agriculture and health care, which are widely recog-

nized among the public in Albania, as well as for the cooperation on the projects

for Tirana sewerage system and Tirana thematic urban planning.

Representatives from the counterpart organizations introduced specific projects

which have been carried out in Albania. The current projects are related to the

environmental conservation, financial inclusion and urban planning.

This ODA Seminar was a timely occasion to reiterate that the opening of the Em-

bassy of Japan in Albania is planned for 1st January 2017. Both, Ms. Ekonomi

and Mr. Abe, Chief Representative of JICA Balkan Office, expressed their hope

that the opening of the Embassy would further strengthen the friendship and co-

operation that ties these two countries.

Minister Ekonomi addresses the attendees on behalf Minister Ekonomi addresses the attendees on behalf Minister Ekonomi addresses the attendees on behalf

of the Governemnt of Albania of the Governemnt of Albania of the Governemnt of Albania

Mr. Abe gives an opening speechMr. Abe gives an opening speechMr. Abe gives an opening speech

The Project for Tirana Thematic Urban Planning was implemented

in 2011 in cooperation with Tirana Municipality as the counterpart.

In this project, following the careful review of the existing urban

plan and the survey on the current situation, various activities i.e.

identification of the challenges, formulation of development strate-

gy, suggestion on priority projects and action plans were conduct-

ed for four different sectors i.e. roads and urban transport, solid

waste management, water supply and sewerage and drainage.

After four years from the completion of the project, the ex-post

evaluation confirmed that quite a lot of priority projects have being

implemented. Especially in the sector of roads and urban

transport, various infrastructure such as ring roads, public car

parks, bicycle paths and pedestrian crossings, have been con-

structed or under construction based on the Mater Plan produced

by the project. Municipality of Tirana will shortly approve this Mas-

ter Plan as the official urban development plan of the City.

Pedestrian crossing installedPedestrian crossing installedPedestrian crossing installed

CURRENT STATUS OF TIRANA THEMATIC URBAN PLANNINGCURRENT STATUS OF TIRANA THEMATIC URBAN PLANNINGCURRENT STATUS OF TIRANA THEMATIC URBAN PLANNING

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SENIOR VOLUNTEERSSENIOR VOLUNTEERSSENIOR VOLUNTEERS

For the first time, since the Serbian Kendo Federation was established,

the Women’s National Kendo Team won a medal at European Champi-

onship. Ms. Hitomi Kumon, a JICA Senior Volunteer (SV) at Kendo Fed-

eration, was the Women’s National Team coach at this Championship.

This year European Championship was held in Skopje, Macedonia,

from 1st to 3

rd April. More than 500 participants from 38 countries took

part in this championship, which made it the largest continental competi-

tion so far. The Serbian National Team consisted of 8 women, 9 men

and 1 junior.

After the first defeat by Switzerland, Serbia women’s team won over

Czech Republic, Romania, the Netherlands and Germany. In the finals

they encountered with the strongest French team, which eventually won

5:0. However, winning silver medal is the biggest success for the Serbia

Women’s National Kendo Team so far.

Ms. Kumon, who was the women’s team coach, modestly commented

that the success of the women’s Kendo team was also the result of hard

work and devotion of her predecessors, JICA SVs at Kendo Federation

Mr. Mori, Mr. Matsumura and Mr. Kashiwagi. All of them, including Ms.

Kumon, managed to improve the techniques of young kendoka and

successfully instruct their coaches.

The goals for the future period include preparation for Belgrade Cup

which will be held in October this year, as well as for the next year’s

European championship in Hungary. After the World Championship

2018, which will take place in South Korea, European Championship

2019 will be held in Serbia.

SERBIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL KENDO TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPSERBIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL KENDO TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPSERBIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL KENDO TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Serbia Women’s National Kendo Team with Ms. KumonSerbia Women’s National Kendo Team with Ms. KumonSerbia Women’s National Kendo Team with Ms. Kumon (Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)(Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)(Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)

JICA SV AND “NASA KUCA” PLANT CHERRY TREES AT BOTANICAL GARDEN IN BELGRADEJICA SV AND “NASA KUCA” PLANT CHERRY TREES AT BOTANICAL GARDEN IN BELGRADEJICA SV AND “NASA KUCA” PLANT CHERRY TREES AT BOTANICAL GARDEN IN BELGRADE

On 4th April 2016, “Nasa kuca” an association supporting persons with

developmental disabilities, in collaboration with JICA, organized plant-

ing of cherry trees at the Japanese garden, which is a part of Botanical

garden Jevremovac, in Belgrade.

Mr. Toshiki Maeda, a JICA Senior Volunteer at “Nasa kuca”, coordinat-

ed this activity with an aim to include people with developmental disabil-

ities from this association into planting and maintenance of cherry trees

at the Japanese garden.

The plan for the next period is to engage beneficiaries from “Nasa ku-

ca” in weekly maintenance of cherry trees in order to continue the new-

ly-established cooperation between JICA, “Nasa kuca” and Botanical

garden Jevremovac. Moreover, activities will be continued next spring

as well, when new Japanese azaleas will embellish this green oasis in

the center of Belgrade. Mr. Maeda with beneficiaries from “Nasa kuca”Mr. Maeda with beneficiaries from “Nasa kuca”Mr. Maeda with beneficiaries from “Nasa kuca”

Serbia Women’s Kendo National Team at EU Championship in Serbia Women’s Kendo National Team at EU Championship in Serbia Women’s Kendo National Team at EU Championship in

Macedonia (Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)Macedonia (Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)Macedonia (Photo by Aleksandra Bjedov)