PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Wednesday acknowledged the Government of Japan’s continued support towards Guyana’s development.

The Prime Minister was at the time meeting Japanese Ambassador, Mitsuhiko Okada who, along with his wife Mrs Mari Okada, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his office this morning. “We want to thank you for the work you have done to promote the friendly and the very strong Guyana-Japan relationship,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said.

Ambassador Okada has served Guyana for the last three years and has overseen the implementation of several projects. During their discussions, the Ambassador provided the Prime Minister with an update of the current projects being funded across the country which amount to over $4.4Billion (US$22M). Among the ventures, designed to enhance the capacity-building of citizens, is the project to Strengthen the Disaster Management Capacity of Women in Guyana and Dominica. This project is a collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the first workshop held on November 5th this year saw residents from 14 communities in the North Rupununi district attending. The exercise was aimed at enabling farmers to make informed decisions.

Other Japanese-funded projects include the project for the Introduction of Renewable Energy and the Improved Power System which will be completed in 2020. This venture aims to enhance the efficiency of Guyana’s power sector and introduce solar panels and energy-saving facilities to the CARICOM office at Turkeyen.

The Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP), in collaboration with the UNDP, is piloting two ongoing projects. The implementation of Solar-photovoltaic systems in Bartica and improved access to water in rural communities that are prone to drought conditions. The Japan Government has also provided funding for the construction of skills training resource centre in Corentyne, Berbice, a medical service centre at Iwokrama and a multi-purpose centre in Kuma. All the facilities are slated to be completed by March 2019.
With Ambassador Okada’s tenure expecting to come to an end soon, the prime minister remarked that he is confident that the relations fostered between the two countries will only intensify over time. “We are confident that these relations will continue over the years and we will strengthen our bilateral cooperation.”(DPI)