Rs. 3,749 million Japanese grant for project implementation

The Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance amounting to Rs. 3,749 million for the implementation of four projects after considering the request made by the Government of Sri Lanka with the objective of promoting socioeconomic development in Sri Lanka while strengthening the quality of the fisheries industry and highways and health.

This grant assistance has been provided under Japanese annual grant aid schemes including general grant aid, technical cooperation and non project grant aid for the following projects.

With the objective of providing necessary technological assistance to develop the fishery industry in Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance amounting to Rs. 1,383 million for the procurement of a self propelled grab hopper dredger. This project aims at increasing the dredging capacity of the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Cooperation to main the operational depth of fishery harbours, facilitating smooth fishing activities through fishery harbours which result in increased productivity of the sector in terms of fish production and thereby enhancing the socioeconomic status of fishermen.

With the aim of improving road network and transport system in Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance of Rs. 1,316 million for implementation of the project for the development of intelligent transport information system for expressways in Sri Lanka.

It is expected to provide necessary road traffic information to road users with a view to realizing smooth and safe transportation in Southern Expressway, Outer Circular Highway and related roads through the installation of Information Management System under this project.   With a view to promoting products of Japanese small and medium sized enterprises, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance of Rs. 280 million under this non project grant aid for the provision of industrial equipment. By considering the Japanese expertise in technology and the necessity of improving the existing curative care services in Sri Lanka and to provide the people with access to modern and quality health care services, the Government has planned to procure high standard modern medical equipment under this grant.

Based on the long term economic cooperation between the two countries, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance of Rs. 770 million under non project grant aid and the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to utilise this grant for the provision of medical equipment to improve the health care facilities in emerging regions to uplift the health standards of Sri Lankan citizens living in especially in emerging regions.

Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grants was signed at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Two grant agreements were also signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the above two projects. The grants agreements were signed by Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Harumi Ao, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office on behalf of JICA.