Japan grants 45 billion yen aid for economic, social development
The Japanese Govt granted aid for Economic and Social Development Programmes, and signed loan agreements for the development of rural infrastructure and the Kalu Ganga Water Development project during Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official visit to Tokyo.
Notes were exchanged in the presence of both leaders for the yen loan Rural Infrastructure Development Project in Emerging Regions (12.957 billion yen), a yen loan for the Kalu Ganga Water Supply Expansion Project (I) (31.81 billion yen), and the grant aid for the Economic and Social Development Programme (1 billion yen).
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said it was important to ensure stability in the region on both eastern and westerns sides of the Indian Ocean and cooperation with Japan which shares this vision, a joint statement said.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Abe said that Japan wished to secure a free and open maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region and support stability and prosperity in the entire region, with emphasis on its relationship with Sri Lanka situated in a strategic point on the sea lanes.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said it was critically important for Sri Lanka’s further development in a free and open Indo-Pacific region and that, he visited Japan to strengthen their Comprehensive Partnership.
Mr Abe stated that Japan would like to further expand its maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka and strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime safety capabilities by providing two patrol vessels and other supports, and advance defense exchanges, and dialogue through the Japan- Sri Lanka Defense Dialogue to be newly established.
He said Japan looked for Sri Lanka’s participation as an observer in the next JapanIndia joint exercise between coastguards.
Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of open, transparent and commercial use of port facilities under full Sri Lanka Govt. control, in developing ports for the stable development of Sri Lanka, the statement said.
Prime Minister Abe said Japan would fully support Sri Lanka’s development as a hub in the Indian Ocean and that, Japan would promote the development of infrastructure in sectors such as ports, transportation and energy, through Japan’s Quality Infrastructure and support strengthening regional connectivity and national development.
He said Japan has decided to extend two yen loans totaling approximately 45 billion yen for water supply development and basic infrastructure development in the former conflict-affected areas, as well as grant aid of one billion yen for the enhancement of Trincomalee Port.
In response, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stated that Sri Lanka hoped to advance cooperation with Japan under the Comprehensive Partnership, since the Quality Infrastructure, the principle that Japan presented at the G7 Iseshima- Summit, contributes to sustainable development in Sri Lanka.
He said Sri Lanka particularly looked forward to Japan’s cooperation for the development of infrastructure, including ports, as well as Japan’s engagement in the development of Trincomalee port and Colombo port.