DILI, 24 february 2024 (TATOLI) – On friday (23/02), the Japanese communities living and residing in Timor-Leste, together with the Japanese Ambassador, Tetsuya Kimura, the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, the former President, Taur Matan Ruak, government officials, and foreign ambassadors in Timor-Leste celebrate Japan’s National Foundation Day at the Japanese Embassy in Dili.
The reception was held to celebrate the 64th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Kimura highlighted the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and Timor-Leste.
He said that the two countries will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and so on.
“We want to encourage Japanese companies to invest in Timor-Leste in the fields of energy, environment, and manufacturing. In addition, we also want to improve the JENESYS Exchange program to provide more opportunities for Japanese youth to come and learn about Timor-Leste and vice versa,” Kimura said.
Ambassador Kimura expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Timor-Leste for always standing in solidarity with the Japanese people during difficult times, such as the 2024 Noto Earthquake, etc.
Kimura also thanked Prime Minister Gusmão for taking part in the 50th-anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in Japan, where Prime Minister Gusmão highlighted the importance of respecting the principles that ASEAN and Japan have upheld over the years, namely the principles of inclusiveness, mutual respect, commitment to shared prosperity, and the ASEAN Community Vision.
In his speech at the event, President Horta said that Japan has been an active supporter of Timor-Leste’s national development.
The government of Japan provides assistance through JICA and also via UN Agencies, the World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
JICA is a lender to Timor-Leste, providing a loan for US$68.7 million for the construction of roads. JICA is also committed to financing and constructing a new terminal building, utilities, and electricity substation at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport through a Grant financing of US$44.4 million. This will finally provide Timor-Leste with a modern international airport.
Other ongoing engagements by Japan with Timor-Leste in the area of sustainable development include Human Resource Development (JDS), such as the Scholarship program (Master’s Degree), and so on.
Japan also contributed to increasing Farmers’ Households’ Income through Strengthening Domestic Rice. The project aims at the improvement of irrigation management, rice productivity, market access for farmers, purchasing system, and storage management of MCIA Cost at US$2,812,209.
President Horta thanked the Japanese government for its constant support for the development of Timor-Leste in various areas.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
