June 2, 2005
 Japan Hands Over Rice to Nepal
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Ambassador Mr. Tsutomu Hiraoka has handed over to His Majesty's Government of Nepal the rice received under Japan's Food Aid (KR) to the Kingdom of Nepal in Japan's Fiscal Year 2003, at a function organized on June 2 at Nepal Food Corporation.
The Government of Japan extended a Grant Assistance in Japan's Fiscal Year 2003 of three hundred and fifty million Yen ( 350,000,000), equivalent to two hundred and twenty-seven million, eight hundred and fifty thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.227,850,000), to His Majesty's Government of Nepal to procure rice.. The assistance was provided with the basic objective of enabling His Majesty's Government of Nepal to procure rice and supply it to the needy living in the food deficit districts of Nepal. A total of 9,700 metric tons (MT) of rice procured under Food Aid 2003, safely arrived from Japan in December of last year. Out of this, 45%, 25%, 15% and 15% of rice have already been transported to Kathmandu, Birgunj, Nepalgunj and Surkhet respectively. The Nepal Food Corporation will be responsible for the transportation of rice from these places, and its sale to the food deficit areas in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal.
As a dedicated development partner and close friend of Nepal, Japan has been providing Food Aid to Nepal since 1970. As of Japan's Fiscal Year 2003, the Government of Japan has extended its Food Aid to Nepal 16 times, that includes more than 65,000 MT of rice and more than 24,000 MT of wheat. Upon the request of His Majesty's Government of Nepal, the Government of Japan, on May 10th 2005, committed to provide a Grant Assistance of three hundred and fifty million Yen (350,000,000), equivalent to two hundred and thirty-three million, one hundred thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.233,100,000), as Food Aid in Japan's Fiscal Year 2004 for procuring rice.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hiraoka expressed his belief that the rice handed over to His Majesty's Government of Nepal today will help the Government of Nepal to ease the problem of food shortages in the country; ultimately benefiting the needy living in the mountain and remote areas of Nepal. He further expressed his wish that His Majesty's Government of Nepal will do its utmost to deliver the rice to the people suffering from food shortages in the food deficit areas.
Mr. Hiraoka also expressed his sincere hope that the assistance will yet serve as a milestone in further strengthening the friendly relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Nepal.
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