September 3, 2003
 Agreement on Technical Cooperation between Japan and Nepal
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The Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of Japan and His Majesty's Government of Nepal has been concluded today.The Agreement to this effect was signed by Mr. Zenji Kaminaga, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Bhanu Prasad Acharya, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of their respective governments.
The Agreement aims to strengthen further the mutual technical cooperation between the two countries. At the same time, it will pave the way to simplifying and improving the process of technical cooperation under a single umbrella framework.
In order to support human resources development in Nepal, the Government of Japan started its technical cooperation program by accepting Nepalese trainees in Japan in 1954. And since 1974 Japanese technical cooperation to Nepal is being provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japanese technical cooperation covers such activities as dispatch of Japanese experts, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs), Senior Volunteers, and study missions, as well as Project Type Assistance, Development Study and acceptance of Nepalese trainees to Japan.
Both the governments have deemed the necessity for a single umbrella framework on technical cooperation to ensure efficient and effective implementation of technical cooperation programs in Nepal in the future.
According to the Agreement, the Government of Japan, through JICA, will carry out at its own expense such technical cooperation as mentioned above. His Majesty's Government of Nepal will accord JICA experts, volunteers and staff of JICA office in Nepal, privileges, exemptions and benefits necessary for their technical cooperation activities. His Majesty's Government of Nepal will also ensure that the techniques and knowledge acquired by Nepalese nationals and the equipment, machinery and materials provided by Japanese Government will contribute to the economic and social development of Nepal and will not be used for military purposes.
The Government of Japan has accepted 3,003 Nepalese trainees and dispatched 1,280 JICA experts, 2,832 mission members, 794 JOCV volunteers and 25 Senior Volunteers in total up to Japan's fiscal year 2002. During the same period, provision for equipment worth 6.9 billion Japanese Yen was also made. Altogether 20 projects under the Project Type Technical Cooperation Program, and 52 development studies were also implemented during the same period. In value terms, the technical cooperation accounted for 48.2 billion Japanese yen in total up to JFY 2002.
On the occasion Ambassador Mr. Kaminaga expressed that this Agreement will be helpful in the smooth and efficient implementation of Japanese technical cooperation programs in Nepal and the friendly relations existing between the two countries will be further strengthened by the promotion of technical cooperation in the future.
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