Japan grants JD22.68m to Jordan

AMMAN — Japan has extended two grants totalling 3.26 billion yen (around JD22.68 million) to Jordan, the Japanese embassy said on Thursday.

The first grant of around JD17.46 million is allocated for the “Programme for Urgent Improvement of Water Sector for the Host Communities of Syrian Refugees in Northern Governorates”. 

The second grant, which amounts to approximately JD5.22 million, is extended for the “Provision of Medical Equipment and Welfare Apparatus Package”, an embassy statement said.

Japanese Ambassador Junichi Kosuge and Planning Minister Ibrahim Saif signed the grant agreements on Tuesday.

The first grant is “designed for the urgent improvement” of the water sector in northern governorates hosting Syrian refugees, and comprises several components, such as the construction and rehabilitation of water pipes, and the provision of equipment used for the maintenance of water supply and wastewater management.

The second grant, which falls under the “Non-project Grant Aid” scheme, is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s health sector by providing Japanese medical equipment and welfare apparatus to various hospitals in the country. 

“Using such advanced technology and products can contribute to enhancing the medical care and service in Jordan,” the embassy said.

“I wish that the new grant projects would bring further development and promotion of public welfare to the people of Jordan,” Kosuge said at the signing ceremony.

The Japanese government, in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has granted Jordan a total of $3.68 billion (around JD2.605 billion) since 1974 as official development assistance in several fields such as water, health, education, vocational training and regional cooperation, according to the embassy.