DILI, 16 august 2022 (TATOLI)- The Government of Japan grand 9.25 million to support Timor-Leste in the program for Urgent Rehabilitation of Flood Damaged Infrastructure.
The grand agreement is provided through the signing of the document between the Ambassador of Japan to Timor – Leste, Masami Kinefuchi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno. A grant Agreement (GA) for the program was also signed between the Minister of Finance, Rui Gomes, and Ko GOTO, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Timor – Leste, office.
Ambassador of Japan to Timor – Leste, Masami Kinefuchi, said Japan and Timor-Leste, have nurtured friendship and solidarity for the last 20 years. It was in 1999 that Japan, hosted the first international donor’s conference to support the nation-building of Timor-Leste in Tokyo. Since then, Japan has assisted restoration and rehabilitation of the nation, dispatched Peace Keeping Operation (PKO) troops, and implemented numerous projects and programs around the country over the past 20 years.
“Our contribution to the development of Timor-Leste has been substantial; so much has been accomplished in the infrastructure sector as well as in various other sectors around Timor-Leste, by our assistance. On the other hand, Timor-Leste has always been very supportive vis-à-vis Japan in international circumstances, showing strong solidarity at the Great East Japan Earthquake, and remained a great friend of Japan and the Japanese people over the last 20 years, I am happy to say that we are celebrating our 20 years of our friendship and solidarity this year,’’ The Ambassador of Japan to Timor – Leste Kinefuchi Masami told a reporter at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pantai Kelapa, Dili on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, The Minister of Finance, Rui Gomes, said: “today Timor – Leste, and Japan mark another milestone in our trajectory in addressing the challenges of the climate change disaster. The Government of Timor – Leste, is committed to building such capital in responding the climate change and now the government of Japan has committed to supporting grants for Timor – Leste to rehabilitate flood-damaged infrastructure which happened on 04 April 2021 ago.
“Japan grants of one billion JPY (Approximately) 9.25 million USD, this grant will be used for the rehabilitation of Comoro River retaining walls, Bemos water treatment plan and facilitated in Buluto (Manatuto and Baucau municipalities),’’ said the Minister of Finance Rui Gomes.
The Minister of Finance Rui Gomes added Urgent Rehabilitation program aims to rehabilitate the urgently required rehabilitation of the implementation which was damaged in recent floods.
The damages were identified by the JICA expert team from Japan to areas damages caused by the recent flood at the same time the team also present a plan to make Dili a safe resilient and attractive city with the quality infrastructure for the Timorese as well as for visitor from abroad.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Magno, said Japan and Timor – Leste, celebrated the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Japan has been a long-standing partner for the nation-building of Timor – Leste, since 1999 and has successfully implemented many grant projects for the improvement of key infrastructure such as; roads, ports, bridges, and water supply system in various regions of Timor – Leste, and now continue to support Timor – Leste, to grant 9.25 million for rehabilitating the damaged infrastructure which damaged by the flood on 04 april 2021 ago.
“In this opportunity on behalf of the Government of Timor – Leste thanked the Government of Japan for the continuous support to Timor – Leste during this time. We hope that Timor – Leste, and Japan will continue to conduct bilateral cooperation in the future,’’ she concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
