Komatsu to Start Supporting the 2nd Term of Human Resource Development Project in Liberia Financed by the Japanese Government and Managed by UNIDO

Apr. 1, 2016

Following the first term, Komatsu Ltd. (hereinafter "Komatsu") (President and CEO: Tetsuji Ohashi) is going to start supporting the second term of the "Project to Promote Employment of Youth by Supporting Technical and Vocational Training," (hereinafter the "Project") financed by the Japanese government and managed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Prior to the second term, which begins in April, the signing ceremony for the second term was held between the Japanese government and UNIDO in Liberia on March 10, 2016.

Since 2014 we have been supporting the Project which began in 2013. We have provided used construction equipment free of charge, trained instructors in Japan, continued to support them after their return to Liberia, and offered training materials and the like. Although operations of the Project were temporarily halted by the Ebola outbreak, we believe human resource development of the youth is a mid to long-range task of the Liberian government. We are planning to support the second term of the Project through instructor trainings in Japan, dispatching of instructors from Japan, provision of training materials and so forth in order to continue the provision of know-how and advice concerning construction equipment.

Liberia is not only rich in iron ore and other resources, but also the government is planning infrastructure development under the background of economic growth. As a result, we are looking forward to an increase in mid to long-term demand for construction and mining equipment. To unfailingly capture future market demand, we believe it is our important task to develop human resources in Liberia. As part of its efforts for social contributions around the world, we have been promoting human resource development which directly results in employment. In Liberia, under collaboration with our local distributor, we are committed to supporting the Project, one of the areas of focus for its CSR activities.

[Outline of the Project]
Name of the Vocational School: Japan Heavy Equipment Operator School (JHEOS)
Objectives: To promote employment of youth in the mining, construction and agricultural sectors in Liberia by providing skills training and the development of human resources.
Investor: The Japanese government (providing gratis fund aid)
Manager: UNIDO

[Footprints of the First Term (April 2013 -- March 2016) of the Project and Contents of Komatsu's Support]
May 2014: Komatsu trained four instructors for three weeks in Japan.
June 2014: Opening ceremony of the vocational school (Komatsu continued to support the instructors via emails, etc. while the school was closed.)
August 2014: Temporary closure of the school due to the Ebola outbreak
December 2014: Komatsu provided a used PC200 hydraulic excavator free of charge.
April 2015: The vocational school started some programs.
August 2015: First graduation ceremony held (for 149 students)

[Komatsu's Plan of Support for the Second Term (April 2016 -- March 2018) of the Project]
To provide know-how related to training materials and equipment to improve programs.
To train instructors at Komatsu facilities.
To dispatch Komatsu instructor from Japan to train local instructors, etc.

No : 002 (2564)
Corporate Communications Department
Sustainability Promotion Division
Komatsu Ltd.
tel: +81-(0)3-5561-2616
mail: JP00mb_cc_department@global.komatsu

*The information described is at the time of presentation and may be subject to advance notice.