b'Supporting the JapaneseGovernments InternationalResponse to the Pandemic Our Japan office was founded in 1967 to procure andFor example, recently the Japanese Government funded inspect nationally sourced products for our programmesa $4.8 million investment aimed at improving the public around the world. Today, Crown Agents Japan is one oftransport system in the Democratic Republic of Congo only two nominated procurement agents for the Japanese(DRC). Crown Agents Japan provided management and governments aid funded Economic and Social oversight services that went above and beyond the Development Programme. important task of supply chain management. The detailed This programme provides funding to contribute to procurement contract included the supply of a diesel economic resilience, social development and improvedhydraulic locomotive, auxiliary equipment, commissioning welfare in developing countries across the world. As aand training services and rail maintenance tools. In nominated procurement agent for the programme, CrownFebruary, the diesel hydraulic locomotive, made by a Agents Japan procures a vast range of goods for variousJapanese manufacturer, was handed over to the DRC at a aid projects across Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. Thisceremony attended by H.E. Mr Hiroshi Karube, Ambassador can include anything from medical equipment, such asof Japan to DRC, a team of top DRC officials led by Mr defibrillators and ambulances, to goods to enhance Didier Mazengu Mukanzu, the Minister of Transport and public services.Communication, as well as a representative from Crown Agents Japan.The Economic and Social Development Programmeradiography systems. As Botswana has one of the worlds also supports developing countries in their fight againsthighest rates of tuberculosis and HIV, which may increase infectious diseases, including Covid-19. In response to thepatients risk of Covid-19 complications, it was imperative pandemic, the Japanese Government has allocated newthat the countrys hospitals had the capacity to keep the funds to its programme to support countries to overcomepopulation safe from the virus.the demanding health challenges. Crown Agents Japan isAs the severe impacts of the virus continue, Crown Agents managing the vital procurement work for its grants totallingJapan will continue procuring equipment to not only meet $181 million and benefitting over 40 countries. In Botswana,immediate needs and save lives, but also goods to build and $3.8 million of these grant funds have gone to procuringstrengthen healthcare systems across the globe.equipment for hospitals, such as thermography and $181Responding to the procurement needs of over million40managed by Crown Agents Japan as onecountries across Asia, of the Japanese Governments nominatedCentral Asia, Eastern procurement agents for their OfficialEurope and Africa Development Assistance response to Covid-190312 13'