The handover and opening ceremony of Pe Kon Township Hospital, Shan State took place on January 28th,2015. The handover and opening ceremonies of the Water Supply System in Bawlakhe Township, Thay Su Le Village Basic Education Branch High School in De Maw So Township, Agricultural Produce Transport Road and Naung Lone Dam in Loikaw Township took place in Kayah State on January 29th and 30th,2015.

These ceremonies were attended by Mr. Masahiro FUJIKAWA, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Khin Maung Oo, Kayah State Chief Minister, committee chairman and committee members of the projects and local residents.

At the ceremony of Naung Lone Dam, U Poe Reh Yan Aung, Kayah State Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, stated that the Dam would supply irrigation water for paddy fields up to 420 acres and domestic water for the nearby 7 villages. The local residents could grow crops not only in rainy seasons but also in winter seasons, thus, improving socio-economic activities of the area. He concluded his speech on behalf of local residents in Kayah State, expressing his deepest gratitude to the Japanese Government and its people.

Following that speech, Mr. FUJIKAWA stated that the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme has supported 710 projects to improve living standards of people in Myanmar for 20 years. He encouraged good maintenance of the renovated and upgraded dam for long-term sustainability. Finally, he concluded the speech wishing for a long-lasting Japan-Myanmar friendly relations.

The Government of Japan provided USD $773,483 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for the extension of Pe Kon Township Hospital in Shan State, the construction of Water Treatment and Water Supply System in Bawlakhe Township, the construction of Thay Su Le Village Basic Education Branch High School in De Maw So Township, the construction of Agricultural Produce Transport Road between Noe Koe Ywar Ma Village and Noe Koe San Pya Village in Loikaw Township, and the renovation and upgrading of Naung Lone Dam in Loikaw Township, Kayah State. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that the assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Group photo at Naung Lone Dam	Mr. Fujikawa, Kayan National Affairs Minister and local authorities at Pe Kon Township Hospital	Ribbon cut ceremony of Thay Su Le Village Basic Education Branch High School	Group photo in front of ODA plate at Bawlakhe Water Supply System	Ribbon cut ceremony of Agricultural Produce Transport Road