Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) » Speech

Speech by Mr. Tatsushi Matsuo, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan At the Grant Contract Signing Ceremony for GGP Projects in the Republic of the Fiji Islands

• The Project for Provision of Ambulance to Sigatoka Hospital
• The Project for Water Supply to Nadrala Village
• The Project for Upgrading of Nasarawaqa Indian School

Thursday, 22nd October 2009, 3.00 p.m.

Good afternoon

It is my pleasure to welcome you all on behalf of H.E. Yutaka Yoshizawa, the Ambassador of Japan, to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, to this afternoon’s Grant Contract signing ceremony at the Embassy to formalise Japan’s assistance for provision of furniture and two classrooms to Nasarawaqa Indian School, an ambulance to Sigatoka Hospital and a water project at Nadrala village in Sigatoka. Today’s event is an evident manifestation of Japan’s continuous support towards upgrading very essential sectors of education, health and water to improve peoples’ livelihood.

Japan has, so far, approved nine projects under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme in the current Japanese fiscal year 2009, of which, six were educational projects, each for health and municipality, and one water project.

Japan provides small and flexible grants to support development projects at the grass-roots level through its GGP programme that is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include basic education, water supply, health, sanitary environment, vocational training and rural infrastructure. Since the inception of this GGP programme in 1989, Japan funded 224 projects with a total value of approximately 9.6 million US dollars for the people of Fiji Islands alone. In the last Japanese fiscal year, namely April 2008 to March 2009 period, Japan has provided 14 projects under its GGP scheme with a total value of approximately 1 million US dollars around Fiji Islands.

In acknowledging the financial hardships faced by stakeholders including Governmental and Non Governmental Organisations assistance in undertaking major developmental projects to continue accommodating the demands of the grassroots, along with escalating prices and global recession, Japan decided to provide financial assistance. I am confident that the new classrooms and furniture will greatly contribute to provide equal learning opportunities for the children of Nasarawaqa, while the new four wheel drive Nissan Patrol will ensure effective and efficient ambulance services to the people of Nadroga/Navosa Province, including highlanders, and the water project will enable people of Nadrala an easy access to a regular water supply.

Finally, with these few words, I wish to congratulate you for being successful recipients out of the numerous proposals received by the Embassy, seeking Japan’s assistance. I also hope that these projects will significantly improve the standard of living and become good role models of our cooperation.

 Thank You

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)