---

Non-Project Grant Aid for provision of industrial products by the Government of Japan

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 7, 2012 - A Note of Exchange was signed by Secretary Lorin S. Robert and Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki on behalf of their respective governments on February 22, 2012 in the afternoon. The signing of the Exchange Note signifies the agreement of both governments for the donation of an aggregate amount of Japanese Yen 250 million (around USD 3 Million) to the FSM for the procurement of industrial products and the acceptance of the latter of the products to be used for development purposes.

The donation from the Government of Japan is considered a Japan Non-Project Grant Assistance (JNPGA) which is the second time the FSM Government has benefited from this type of assistance. It has special historical significance in that the industrial products were produced in the Tohoku region of Japan which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the signing of the agreement made FSM the first recipient of such assistance. The Government of Japan, as a donor country, expressed its intention that the equipment procured should be used for shoreline protection and national building as a priority.

In accepting the donation, Secretary Robert thanked the Japanese Government through Ambassador Suzuki and expressed the pride of his government in being the first recipient of such manufactured items from the Tohoku region, which signals the speedy recovery of the affected areas from the devastation caused by the earthquake. He also reiterated the continued sympathies and condolences of the FSM government and people for the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to property. Secretary Robert went on to say that as an island-nation, coastal problems are an on-going problems for the FSM and the FSM will welcome the heavy equipments for the infrastructure construction such as roads to mitigate the negative effects by the coastal erosion.

Ambassador Suzuki responded by conveying the pleasure of his government to make FSM the first recipient of such assistance and also reiterated thankfulness for the expression of heartfelt sympathies from friends like the FSM for the untold loss experienced by Japan in the wake of the natural disaster. He also indicated his hope that the manufactured goods will be used for coastal protection and nation-building.

Witnessing the short signing ceremony were staff from Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Pohnpei.

For further information of this release, please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at 320-2641.