H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and Chairpersons of the Committees from the States and Regions concerned signed the grant contracts for four projects today. Under these contracts, Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme will provide a total of US$521,307 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Sa Kyin Monastic Post Primary School in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region (US$87,354);
2. The Project for Construction of Mee Taing Taw Village Bridge in Kyauk Kyi Township, Bago Region (US$135,821);
3. The Project for Extension of Pin Baw Village Station Hospital in Mogaung Township, Kachin State (US$103,825); and
4. The Project for Pyar Mwut Shaw Chaung Village Basic Education High School in Mawlamyaingkyun Township, Ayeyarwady Region (US$194,307).

Sa Kyin Monastic Post Primary School was established in 2014, but the school cannot afford a building of its own due to financial difficulity. All classes have been held in the monastery, which is aged and dangerous for students to study in. Under such circumstances, the Japanese Government will support construction of a two-storey R.C.C building with 6 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 408 students of the school.

Mee Taing Taw Village Bridge spans the Mone River and it is widely used by local residents to go to Mone Town where schools, hospitals and markets are. However, since the bridge is made with poor quality wood, it has many holes and is not safe for pedestrians and motorbikes to use. Under such circumstances, the Japanese Government will support construction of a 108- meter- long steel grider bridge. The project will benefit 6,048 residents of 5 surrounding villages.

Pin Baw Village Station Hospital looks after 20 surrounding villages, but its patient rooms are too small to accommodate all patients. Moreover, the hospital does not have enough furniture and benches. Under such circumstances, the Japanese Government will support construction of one storey R.C.C hospital building with furniture and medical equipment. The project will benefit 128,743 residents of 20 surrounding villages.

The number of students in Pyar Mwut Shaw Chaung Village Basic Education High School is on the rise, but due to lack of space, students have to study in congested classrooms. In addition, one of the school buildings is extremely aged and there are many cracks on the wooden poles caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Under such circumstances, the Japanese Government will support construction of a two-storey R.C.C building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 820 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 774 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 367 education projects, 196 healthcare projects, 138 public welfare and environment projects, 38 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is anticipated that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.