KABUL : Tokyo would provide 2.4 billion yen (approximately $22 million) for the Economic and Social Development Programme in Afghanistan, the Embassy of Japan announced here the other day.
A contract for the assistance was signed between Japan’s Ambassador Hiroshi Takashashi and Foreign MinisterSalahuddin Rabbani in Kabul, a statement from the embassy said.
The grant would be used for purchasing materials necessary for economic and social development of the Afghan government, including procurementof necessary items such as fuels and gas.
Rabbani said the revenue would go to a counterpart fund that would be utilised for development projects in close consultation between two sides.
Ambassador Takahashi said:“We hope the Afghan government will use the programme properly to solve its financial problems and to implement development projects for the benefit of the people.”
Japan has been assisting Afghanistan’s nation-building efforts in various fields, including security, health, culture, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, infrastructure and capacity development.
