On 1 February 2023, Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of TICA, welcomed Mr. MASAHIRO Yasuda, Coordinator, Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) at TICA. Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Director of Development Promotion and Coordination Division also present at the meeting.

Both side discussed the implementation of the Grant Aid Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support. The Programme’s objective is to support Thailand in strengthening the resilient health system to prepare for post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery. The Government of Japan approved a grant of 500 million Japanese yen (approximatedly 132 million baht) to the Government of Thailand providing medical equipment for further enhancement of Thailand’s public health system at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and border checkpoints, medical facilities located in Thailand’s border areas as well as the National Laboratories of the Ministry of Public Health. The Government of Japan and JICA assigned JICS acting as the Agent for procurement of products and services under the Programme.

In this regard, Director-General of TICA and the representative of JICS signed the Agent Agreement for procurement services. The first batch of medical equipment is expectedly delivered to Thailand by June 2023.

The meeting at technical level between TICA, JICA Thailand Office and JICS was also held on 31 January 2023 at TICA to discuss on measures to implement the Grant Aid Programme.