JETRO to Help Small Japan Firms in Southeast Asia

Tokyo, Sept. 5 (Jiji Press)--The Japan External Trade Organization said Thursday that it will help small and midsize firms in the country expand into Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Caravan Project will be joined by 83 such companies, including makers of household goods and building materials, from 25 prefectures. The project will cover Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, four of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Under the project, JETRO will participate in a building materials exhibition in Singapore in September, a gift show in Bangkok, Thailand, in October and a trade fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in November. It also intends to hold independent business meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November. It will be the second such project, following one last year. The number of businesses participating this year is 1.5 times over the previous year while the number of ASEAN cities involved is twice. JETRO hopes to hold 1,500 business meetings and help close 300 deals under this year's project. END