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 to Tuvalu

at 12.00 p.m. on 4th December, 2009, Embassy of Japan, Suva Office, Fiji Islands

I express my sincere appreciation for your attendance in today’s signing and exchange of notes ceremony, formalising Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid to the Government of Tuvalu.

In acknowledging the financial difficulties associated with global economic and financial recession, and loss of Tuvalu’s trust fund reserves by as much as twenty percent, the Government of Japan decided to continue assisting Tuvalu through its Non Project Grant Aid (NPGA), largely, to ensure importation of adequate fuel to maintain the provision of power to community and other necessary products for advancement of economic and structural reforms with minimal 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 appreciate again the Government of Tuvalu’s effort to deposit the counterpart fund for phase 1 of NPGA and I hope the counterpart fund for phase II will be deposited in due course as well.

This Non Project Grant Aid is a manifestation of Japan’s goodwill and friendship to the Government and people of Tuvalu.

Honourable Prime Minister, I remain hopeful that this Non Project Grant Aid will be of effective assistance to your government in overcoming the financial constraints during this challenging times and I look forward to the successful completion of the necessary reform programmes for economic prosperity.

Thank you.

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