JRI signs “Memorandum of understanding for the promotion of exchange between Japan and India in the field of healthcare” with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

　The Japan The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Head office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Junsuke Fujii; “JRI”), on April 17, 2012, in Delhi, India, signed a “Memorandum of understanding for the promotion of exchange between Japan and India in the field of healthcare” with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), one of India’s leading economic organizations.

1. Date of signing
　April 17, 2012

2. Content and purpose
　Rapid economic expansion in newly developing countries, and the rapid growth of the wealthy and middle classes, has led to increasing demand for high value-added medical services. JRI is helping to meet the healthcare needs of newly developing countries with Japan’s outstanding medical technology and services while promoting the internationalization and growth of Japan’s healthcare sector as an important export industry.
　The purpose of the “Memorandum of understanding for the promotion of exchange between Japan and India in the field of healthcare” signed with the FICCI is to implement and promote (1) exchange of information and promotion between Japan and India in the three healthcare sectors of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and medical services, (2) innovation through the promotion of collaboration in technology and services between private-sector companies, and (3) policy proposals to the governments of Japan and India.
　Specific activities agreed for the future include (1) participation in India’s largest healthcare event, HEAL (Health – Enterprise and Learning), hosted by FICCI and creating business opportunities for Japanese medical services and equipment, (2) contributing to the drafting of India’s national guidelines on medical care (Standardisation Initiatives by the FICCI Health Insurance Committee), which the FICCI is supervising and promoting the application of Japanese guidelines and know-how, (3) coordinating with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers, of which FICCI is a member, and promoting the diffusion of highly efficient Japanese medical services.
　JRI believes that, for Japanese manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment and healthcare-related companies with an interest in India, cooperation with the FICCI will not only facilitate access to information on India but, by promoting the conversion of local systems to Japanese specifications, will also have the benefits of promoting market participation and commercialization, and of strengthening Japan’s competitiveness.

3. About FICCI
　Established in 1927, at the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi, the FICCI is the largest and oldest non-governmental, not-for-profit business and industry organization in India. It has played a leading role in India’s social, economic and political policy debate and over 400 experts pursue business activities in 39 economic sectors. It serves as a political and academic thinktank，publishes a wide range of publications and holds a variety of seminars. The FICCI has a membership of over 83,000 companies, including small and medium enterprises and multinationals, and has joint business councils with organizations in 79 countries around the world.
　At present, Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Operations, for the Apollo Hospitals Group, one of India’s largest hospital chains, chairs the FICCI’s Committee on Health Services and Mr Arun Sawhney, CEO & Managing Director of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, part of the Daiichi Sankyo Group, chairs the Committee on Pharmaceuticals.