Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [Wednesday, Oct 5, 2016]
METI Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara Attended a South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the Field of Mining
On October 4, 2016, Mr. Takumi Ihara, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended an investment promotion seminar held in Tokyo concerning mining in the Republic of South Africa (hereinafter referred to as “South Africa”) and delivered the opening remarks. The seminar was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). Taking this opportunity, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara also held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Mosebenzi Zwane, Minister of Mineral Resources, South Africa, and exchanged views regarding the stable supply of mineral resources to Japan, enhancement of the bilateral relationship, and other issues.
1. Japan-South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the field of mining
On October 4, 2016, METI and JOGMEC jointly held a South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the field of mining, by inviting Minister Zwane as the guest of honor, aiming to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and South Africa in the field of mining. This seminar is one of the efforts under the project titled “Japan-Africa Ministerial Partnership for Resources Development (JAMP),” which was adopted at the Second Japan-Africa Ministerial Meeting for Resources Development (JAMM 2).
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara attended the seminar and delivered the opening remarks. In addition to introducing the government of Japan’s support measures for South Africa, he stated that it is important for both countries to maintain and develop their cooperative relationship in the field of mineral resources and that, to this end, he expects Japanese companies to invest in the country.
2. Bilateral meeting with Minister Zwane
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara took this opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with Minister Zwane, and both sides exchanged views concerning the stable supply of minerals to Japan, enhancement of the bilateral relationship toward the development of a sustainable mining industry, and other issues.
At the meeting, both sides also agreed that Japan and South Africa will cooperate in concluding a comprehensive MOU in human resource development and other issues in the field of mining, utilizing the opportunity provided by the Mining Inaba conference to be held in South Africa in February 2017 to sign the MOU.
Japan International Cooperation Agency [Wednesday, Oct 12, 2016]
Signing of Grant Agreement with Sudan: Constructing a water treatment plant and related facilities to provide a stable supply of safe water and improve public sanitation
On October 11, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement (G/A) with the Government of the Republic of the Sudan to provide grant aid of up to 3.151 billion yen for the Project for Improvement of Water Treatment Plant in Kosti City.
This project will construct water intake facilities, a water treatment plant and related facilities to raise the water treatment capacity in Kosti, a city in White Nile State in the southern part of Sudan.
Kosti City has a river port that connects Sudan and South Sudan and is also a key location for commodity transportation on the route between the Darfur region and Red Sea State, the only state in Sudan having a seaport. Kosti City also has the largest population in White Nile State, approximately 210,000 people (2008), and the population is projected to grow to approximately 380,000 by 2024 due to an influx of displaced persons to the surrounding area from South Sudan and Darfur in recent years. However, the water treatment plant in Kosti City has deteriorated significantly since its construction in 1942. The current average treatment capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 cubic meters of water per day can serve only about 40 percent of the city’s population. As the city is unable to meet the demand for water considering the growing population, improving the level of water treatment plant functionality is a priority.
This project will improve the water treatment capacity in Kosti City and is expected to enable a stable supply of safe water to more city residents while improving public sanitation and living environment. In addition to this project, JICA has implemented technical cooperation projects to train human resources to manage and maintain the water supply facilities. JICA will continue providing assistance to improve the water supply infrastructure in Sudan with both physical infrastructure and human resource training.
Japan International Cooperation Agency [Tuesday, Oct 11, 2016]
Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with Sri Lanka: Supporting reforms for private sector development, governance improvement and fiscal consolidation for sustainable economic growth
On October 10, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to provide a Japanese ODA loan of up to a total of 10 billion yen for assistance for the Development Policy Loan (Private Sector Development, Governance Improvement, and Fiscal Consolidation).
Since civil war ended in 2009 after more than 25 years of fighting, reconstruction efforts have gone forward in Sri Lanka. Thanks to the growth of service industries including tourism, Sri Lanka achieved a real GDP growth rate of between eight and nine percent since the end of the conflict through 2012 and has maintained steady growth of approximately five percent for the past three years. However, due to the weak tax base, economic growth does not necessarily lead to an increase in tax revenue, and in 2015, the fiscal deficit reached 6.9 percent of the GDP. Increasing interest payments arising from public debt also adds fiscal constraints on the government.
To address these challenges, the Government of Sri Lanka has established a target of cutting the fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent by 2020. Efforts toward that include raising the tax rate and repealing excessive tax incentives on the revenue front, and reducing expenditures by improving transparency and efficiency in the budget process on the expenditure front. Furthermore, the Government of Sri Lanka aims to attract foreign direct investment as a means to achieve growth in the private sector. Co-financed by the World Bank, this project will provide support to such policy and institutional reforms by the Government of Sri Lanka with a focus on the three pillars of private sector development, governance improvement and fiscal consolidation, which will strengthen economic and industrial competitiveness, and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka.
JICA will continue to provide support for sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka by utilizing technical cooperation, ODA loans and grant aid.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Friday, Oct 7, 2016]
Emergency Assistance in response to Hurricane “Matthew” disaster in the Republic of Haiti
1. On Friday, October 7, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods (tents etc.) to the Republic of Haiti, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in response to the request from the Government of the Republic of Haiti following serious damage from Hurricane “Matthew” in the country.
2. The Republic of Haiti is suffering from floods around its territory caused by the passage of Hurricane Matthew on October 4. It is reported that, as of October 7, 339 people have died, and approximately 15,000 people are taking refuge from the hurricane disaster.
3. The Government of Japan decided to provide emergency assistance to the Republic of Haiti from a humanitarian point of view for the victims as well as in light of the friendly relationship between Japan and the Republic of Haiti.