Japan Ambassador Norio Saito and RMI Foreign Minister John Silk signed an exchange of notes for two Japan Grant Aid of Economic and Social Development Programs last week in Majuro. The signing ceremony was held at the Cabinet conference room in Majuro and attended by President Hilda Heine, Minister of Health and Human Services Kalani Kaneko, staff of the President’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Embassy of Japan.
The grant amounting 200 million Japanese Yen (approximately $1.8 million at the current exchange rate) will assist RMI’s fisheries, procuring necessary products and equipment mainly for the improvement of the Ebeye fish base operated by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority.
The other Economic and Social Development Program grant, of 550 million Japanese Yen (approximately $5 million), will be utilized for the procurement of a ship for Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) to provide serve to remote populations in the country, as well as necessary medical products and equipment.
These grants are part of the assistance from the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the RMI.
Read more about this in the March 29, 2019 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.