Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu» General Grant Aid and Grant Aid for Fisheries » Press Release

Japan Provides Grant Assistance for Improvement of Funafuti Port

Embargo: Wednesday, 29th April 2009, 8.45 a.m.

The Government of Japan continues to provide grant assistance for improvement of basic infrastructure facilities in Tuvalu. Today, the people of Tuvalu witnessed the official handing-over of the upgraded Funafuti port. The funding of this major project in Tuvalu was made available through Japan’s General Grant Aid Scheme.
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The First Secretary of Economic Cooperation Mr. Tatsushi Matsuo, on behalf of the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Yutaka Yoshizawa to Tuvalu, together with Mr. Juichiro Sasaki, the Resident Representative of JICA Fiji Office were present in Funafuti on Wednesday, 29th April 2009, at 8.45 am to officially hand-over the renovated Funafuti port that will ensure improved wharf facilities for daily passenger and cargo handling activities.

The Government of Japan, through its General Grant Aid Scheme provided approximately JPY 932,000,000 (approx. US $ 8.0 million) to the Government of Tuvalu for improvement works on Funafuti Port. This grant assistance had materialised from the request by the Government of Tuvalu.  The main purpose of this assistance is to enhance production and trade in Tuvalu’s main sectors, such as fisheries sector, through improvement in distribution of goods and products in the country. The new jetty will improve port facilities on land with provision of loading and unloading equipment for secured, safe and efficient cargo handling activities at Funafuti port.

This grant assistance is an added milestone in Japan’s ongoing support and cooperation towards development generally aimed at bringing economic growth and prosperity in Tuvalu.

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu» General Grant Aid and Grant Aid for Fisheries