Press Releases

» Japan Provides Grant for Rehabilitation of Betio Port

The infrastructure at Betio Port in the Republic of Kiribati is set to improve after completion of the Japanese funded rehabilitation works. The construction works at the Betio Port will be funded through a grant of JP¥313 million (approx. US$3 million) provided by the Government of Japan under Japan’s General Grant Aid Programme to Kiribati.

A ceremony will be held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in the Republic of Kiribati at 10 a.m. on 16th March 2005 where Mr. Taam Biribo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration and the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Kenro Iino will sign and exchange notes formalising Japan’s assistance towards this project.

Japan’s assistance follows a request from the Government of the Republic of Kiribati for assistance in 2003 after a cyclone in December 2002 had tremendously damaged the Betio Port area. In response, a survey and detailed design exercise was conducted by Japan in August 2004, after which the two Governments agreed on the final project. The main activity of the project is to construct and improve the damaged area of the Betio Port, the only foreign cargo handling port in the Republic of Kiribati.

The Government of Japan’s assistance is aimed at assisting the Kiribati Government in providing the necessary infrastructure for its economic growth. This project is expected to be completed by March 2006. By this project, the Government of the Republic of Kiribati will be able to better utilise the Betio Port in cargo handling activities. This project will also enable the sustainable use of Betio Port which was constructed between 1997 and 2000 with Japan’s General Grant Aid assistance of AU$26 million.