H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and Chairmen of the Committees from the Regions concerned, signed grant contracts for three projects today. Under these contracts, Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme will provide a total of US$445,526 as below:

1. The Project for Upgrading of Ywar Thar Kone Village Road in Kyaunggon Township, Ayeyarwady Region (US$102,023);
2. The Project for Construction of Two Schools in Pakokku Township, Magway Region (US$196,114); and
3. The Project for Construction of Kadok No.1 Basic Education High School in Daik-U Township, Bago Region (US$147,389).

The Ywar Thar Kone Village in Kyaunggon Township, Ayeyarwady Region, was established in 1865 and is situated on the bank of a stream. The current road from Ywar Thar Kone village connecting three villages to Kyaunggon Township is earthen and it is often flooded and damaged in the rainy season. Under such conditions, the Japanese Government, under its GGP scheme, will support upgrading of the existing road. The supported road will allow farmers from nearby villages to transport their agricultural products to the markets and enable students to go to school safely even during rainy seasons. The project will benefit a total of 2,435 people in 608 households in 6 nearby villages.

Two School buildings at No.14 Basic Education Post Primary School in Sone Kone Village, Pakokku Township, Magway Region have been undersized and deteriorated. Hence, the students are studying outside under shade of trees in the dry season. The students of No.55 Basic Education Primary School in Shar Taw Village, Pakokku Township, Magway Region, are studying in the building of a Rural Health Center since the school building is deteriorated and only the skeleton with decayed wood remains. Under such conditions, the Japanese Government will support a two-storey R.C.C building with full furniture and 5 lavatories to No.14 Post Primary School at Sone Kone Village, and a one-storey R.C.C building with full furniture, walkway and 3 lavatories to No.55 Primary School in Shar Taw Village. The project will benefit 590 students of the two schools.

Kadok Basic Education High School in Daik-U Township, Bago Region, is the only high school for the 15 nearby villages. Although the number of entrance applications is on the rise, the committee has to limit the enrollment since there are not enough classrooms to accept more students. Under such conditions, the Japanese Government will support a two-storey R.C.C building with 10 classrooms with full furniture. The project will benefit 1,462 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 734 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993; the number consisting of 333 education projects, 192 healthcare projects, 138 public welfare and environment projects, 36 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is anticipated that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.