Govt. gets $4.3m grant

By Sarafina Sanerivi 30 April 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa received a grant of US$1.9million (T$4.3m) yesterday from the government of Japan. 

The grant contract was signed by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Tuimaugaoali’i Kazumasa Shibuta at the Prime Minister’s office.

This is a part of the ongoing support the Government of Japan has been providing for Samoa. 

According to a press release provided, the grant will be used properly and exclusively for the purchase of products and/or services necessary for the implementation of Economic and Social developments across Samoa. 

Tuimaugaoali’i said the grant will be used for equipments and products to improve the services in some sectors in the country. 

“We are looking at utilizing any equipment made in Japan with this grant to help enhance the services provided for the people of Samoa,” Tuimaugaoali’i told the media yesterday.

The two sectors that are expected to be recipients of the grant are the Health Sector and Fire Authority. 

“We received a lot of requests from the Samoa government but these are the two areas that needed a lot of help and we aim to cater for the need of your government.”

Dental equipments and fire vehicles are on top of the list for the grant. 

According to the press release, training and other necessary services for operation of maintenance of equipment would be covered as well.

“This cooperation agreement is supported by Japanese Supplementary Budget and extended by the Government of Japan to friendly countries like the Government of Samoa by virtue of its relevant laws and regulations and budgetary appropriations.

“Japan has been working in partnership with the Samoan Government since 1977, to further develop such socio-economic projects in Samoa.” Tuimaugaoali’i said that the government of Japan provides approximately 30million US dollars for the government of Samoa annually. 

The next grant contact is expected to be signed in July between Japan and Samoa according to Tuimaugaoali’i.  

By Sarafina Sanerivi 30 April 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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