Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu» Non-Project Grant Aid » Speech

Speech by H. E. Mr. Yutaka Yoshizawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tuvalu on the Occasion of the Signing and Exchange of Notes for the Non - Project Grant Aid and GGP Projects to Tuvalu

at 10.00 a.m. on 12th March, 2009, Embassy of Japan, Suva Office, Fiji Islands

Talofa, Good Morning to you all,

I express my sincere gratitude for your attendance in today’s signing and exchange of notes ceremony, formalising Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid and Japan’s project to Vaitupu island funded under its Grassroots Human Security Projects Programs also known as GGP.

In acknowledging the financial difficulties associated with soaring prices of imported items such as fuel, and the dampening effects of global financial crisis on Tuvalu’s economy, the Government of Japan decided to continue assisting Tuvalu through its Non Project Grant Aid largely, to ensure importation of adequate fuel and other necessary products for advancement of economic and structural reforms with no budgetary cut anticipated in Government’s allocation for development of other equally important sectors such as education and health.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to commend the Government of Tuvalu’s endeavour to deposit the counterpart fund for phase 1 of NPGA equivalent to half of the total yen disbursement paid with respect to the purchase of fuel in 2006. I hope the fund will be utilized for economic and social development purposes in Tuvalu under mutual consent between the Government of Japan and Tuvalu.

Japan, through its GGP Program, has also decided to donate Vaitupu island with a new hoist truck, not only to efficiently load and unload bulk cargo at the Vaitupu wharf, but also supplement transport facilities for inter island  passenger and cargo vessel donated by Japan through its Fisheries Grant Aid programme in 2002.

These projects are a manifestation of Japan’s goodwill and friendship to the Government and people of Tuvalu.

Honourable Minister, I look forward to the successful implementation of the reform programmes, as I remain hopeful that, upon completion, the economy will prosper.

Thank you.

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu» Non-Project Grant Aid