Japan sign grant aid worth AUD$1 million with Nauru
The aid will go towards improving Nauru’s fisheries sector.
The signing and exchange of notes ceremony formalising aid assistance to Nauru was held at the Japanese Embassy in Suva between Nauru's President Baron Waqa and Japan's Ambassador Takuji Hanatani.
“Iam very pleased to say that through this NPGA, the government of Japan is providing assistance worth 100 million Japanese Yen, approximately one million Australian dollars to the Government of the Republic of Nauru. This funding will be used to purchase good Japanese machinery and equipment including some with specialised technology for fisheries.
“I understand that this NPGA will be utilised to collate biological data for important coastal foodfish species to ensure effective sustainable management of fish such fish species and fisheries in general.
Indeed, it is very reassuring to see that this project will establish a strategic mechanism towards ensuring the long term food security of the people of Nauru.
Upon, supplying their respective products through this NPGA, Japanese small medium enterprises will gain added confidence and take pride in seeing their products serve such an important purpose, said Ambassador Hanatani.
Nauru President Baron Waqa in response thanked the Japanese Government for the assistance towards his country’s fisheries sector.
“ Iam most grateful to you Your Excellency and to your government for this generous assistance especially since it will help and develop our fisheries sector which is very important for the daily sustenance of our people, and which also has the potential for development of a commercial coastal fishery.
Japan and Nauru are both coastal states and as such, have common interest in the sustainable management and development of the coastal and nearshore fishery, which is what many of our people rely on for their livelihoods.
Through this provisions of equipment, expertise and skills transfer, this project will surely contribute in a significant way towards food security issues,” said President Waqa
He said Nauru look forward to continuing its excellent working relations with Japan at various international forums such as the International Whaling Comission and the United Nations, to advance issues of common interest between the two countries.
“Nauru consider the challenges faced by the effects of Climate Change to be prority and development cooperation in ways of mitigating some of the effects including ways to reduce our carbon footprints is most welcome,” said President Waqa.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
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