b'IMPACT STATEMENT 2021Partnering with the Japanese Government to procure and deliver urgently needed goods across the worldThe history of Crown Agents presence in JapanSupporting the Ministry requires an understanding of stretches back to 1967, when the company served athe Governments aims and needs, and early on the procurement and inspection site in Kobe in centralcapacity to support and participate in project design, Japan. Later, in 1987, the Japanese Ministry of Foreigndelivery and execution. A trustworthy partner, Crown Affairs (MOFA) engaged Crown Agents Japan toAgents Japan is ensuring that it can access relevant procure goods and services on behalf of recipientdata effortlessly and in real time, while remaining countries of Official Development Assistance (ODA),agile and transparent, providing value for money with the aim of ensuring maximum value for moneyacross all of its projects.for the Japanese taxpayer. Around the same time, Crown Agents assisted the Ministry in establishing the procurement system in Japans Non-Project Grant Aid.Crown Agents Japan went on to build an extensive track record of ODA procurement in Japan, utilising both its acute understanding of the Japanese goods market and strong relationships with a variety of recipient countries of Japanese Grant Aid. As a result, at present Crown Agents Japan is the only private sector company to manage 40% of MOFAs global COVID-19 response under the Economic and Social Development Programme. Since the pandemic, the team has worked on projects worth over JPY 19 billion to fight the virus globally on behalf of the recipient governments under Japanese Grant Aid. 2021 activities have included the global shipment of medical equipment such as X-ray machines, CT and MRI scanners, oxygen generators, ventilators, thermography, beds, ambulances,and water trucks.In order to deliver the goods to the end-users as fast as possible, the team undertook swift yet accurate procurement procedures, calling upon a network of trusted suppliers and manufacturers to ensure timely shipments. The teams also worked to shorten the request for quotation period in order to ensure goods were rapidly procured for the emergency, and managed to overcome logistical difficulties around restrictions for travel. In total, Crown Agents Japan has been able to provide life-saving goods to 41 countries across the world since the start of the pandemic. Source: Embassy of Japan in Kosovo24'