:: Japan's Economic Cooperation Between Japan and the Republic of Kiribati

According to the OECD statistics, Japan was the largest donor to the Republic of Kiribati in 1997. The two vital components of ODA programs are Grant Aid and Technical Cooperation.

Grant Aid

The Grant Aid program has been a major component of Japan’s ODA to the Republic of Kiribati. Japan provides general grant aid to Kiribati emphasizing on the fisheries sectors, and Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) programme for grassroots communities.

General Grant Aid

The following is a list of projects funded under Japan’s General Grant Aid program since 1991:

The total Grant Aid from 1980 to date has been approximately US$77.9 million. Specific budgets for each country are not predetermined and projects in each country are judged on their individual merits

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project (GGP)

The funding ceiling under the GGP program is normally US$40,000. However, this can be increased to US$400,000 in special cases. A total of US$486,162 (approx.) has been provided to projects in Kiribati under this program from 1995 to 2001. The areas targeted are primary education, health, water supply, women in development, environment, small-scale electrification, disability and vocational training.

Technical Cooperation

The areas covered under Technical Cooperation are very diversified and include such sectors as agriculture, fishery, industry, infrastructure and health. Technical Cooperation programs to Kiribati are composed of the following:

1. Acceptance of trainees: An average of 20 trainees have been accepted each
2. Dispatch of experts: At present 1 expert is working in Kiribati in the field of fisheries;
3. Development survey and development cooperation projects: Examples of these include studies on fisheries development and management, resources survey and health.