UNICO was established in August 1971 as a Japan-based private consulting firm with the objective of providing professional consulting services to developing countries in order to promote their economic development and industrialization.
UNICO’s initial business activities were the performance of project development studies and provision of project management services for industrial projects funded by international organizations such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Thanks to its activities over a wide range of services in such project work, initially particularly in the chemical fertilizer and petrochemical field, UNICO has accumulated advanced levels of technical ability, professional skills, and knowledge which support its survey, analysis, and planning activities.
From the mid-1980s, UNICO started providing services for ODA projects assisted through Technical Cooperation and Yen Loans. Since then, UNICO has been involved in the industrialization of developing countries as follows: drawing up master plans, development of specific industrial sectors, promotion of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), human resource development, enhancement of the ability of personnel in the administrative sector, establishment of environmental policies, and industrial park development funded by a two-step loan.
