Japan provides USD 5.4 mn grant to Maldives

Japanese government has provided Maldivian government a grant of USD 5.4 million to promote further social and economic development in Maldives.

The exchange of notes was signed by Maldivian Foreign Minister Dhunya Maumoon and Japanese Ambassador to Maldives Kenichi Suganuma, is a ceremony held at Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry has said that the grant money will be utilized to procure related equipment and materials for disaster risk management such as warning system to share disaster information and disaster response, as well as disaster restoration items such as drainage pumps.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dhunya said that Japan was an important development partner of Maldives – especially in economic and social areas. And that the two countries share close ties with each other.

Meanwhile, Kenichi noted that Japan was the world leader in disaster management.

“Natural disasters cannot be stopped. But it’s impact can be lessened. This is an area we very much want to collaborate with other countries,” said Kenichi.