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

Speech by H. E. Masashi Namekawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tuvalu on the Handing Over of the Project for Upgrading of Electric Power Supply in Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu

10.00 a.m. 20th February 2007, Tuvalu

Good morning to you all

It is indeed a great honour and privilege to represent the Government and people of Japan in the official opening of the newly upgraded Electric Power supply facilities in Tuvalu.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous hospitality and the warm welcome extended to me and my staff this morning.

Today has a very special reason for every one of us present here to be glad and celebrating together the opening of the newly restored power generation facilities to replace the weak power supply system that has been hampering the functions of Funafuti as capital of Tuvalu along with the lives of her citizens. This newly rehabilitated power generating facilities will certainly introduce economical and reliable power supply in urban areas and will stimulate development in rural areas and utilisation of renewable energies regarding energy sources.

This donation from Japanese people and Government is in recognition of the importance of safe and reliable basic infrastructural facilities for economic and social development. The Government of Japan has prioritized the development of basic facilities such as upgrading the power supply capacity, to ensure a reliable and environment-friendly source of electricity for all the people of Tuvalu. The Government of Japan recognised the old and deteriorated electricity generating facilities as to be unable to meet the increased power demand in the past years. This funding assistance for a complete overhaul of the power supply facilities including the entire generation and distribution network is a testimony of the Government of Japan’s commitment to assistance in the region. Furthermore, I wish to re-affirm the commitment made at the Fourth Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM 2006) held in May in Okinawa, by the Prime Minister of Japan, to provide assistance and support for the infrastructural needs in the region.

The provision of upgrading works on Electric Power Supply was funded under Government of Japan’s Grant Aid Scheme. Under this Scheme, Japan provides financial assistance principally to secure necessary infrastructure of good quality to raise economic output and, thereby, promoting trade and investments in the economy for developing countries. Japan also focuses on providing assistance to sectors such as health, water, rural, agricultural and human resource development, for promoting the efforts of developing countries to acquire the best of expertise and facilities around.

To conclude, this newly restored power supply system is the most evident manifestation of the firm friendship between the people of Tuvalu and that of Japan. I sincerely hope that this donation will serve to continue to strengthen the pleasant ties and alliance between the governments and the peoples of Tuvalu and Japan.

With these few words, I officially open the newly restored Electric Power supply facilities for a reliable and stable source of power supply to this nation.

Thank you.

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