May 10, 2005
 Japan Extends Food Aid to Nepal
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The Government of Japan has agreed to extend a Grant Assistance of three hundred fifty million yen ( 350,000,000), equivalent to two hundred thirty-three million and one hundred thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.233,100,000), or approximately three million and three hundred twenty-three thousand US dollars (US$3,323,000), to His Majesty's Government of Nepal for Food Aid (KR) in the Japan's Fiscal Year 2004.
His Excellency Mr. Tsutomu HIRAOKA, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Nepal, and Mr. Bhanu Prasad Acharya, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of His Majesty's Government of Nepal have signed and exchanged the Notes today on behalf of their respective Governments. (Speech of the Ambassador of Japan is attached)
The Assistance has been provided with the basic objective of enabling His Majesty's Government of Nepal to procure rice and supply it to the needy population living in the food deficit districts of Nepal.
Under the Agreement, His Majesty's Government of Nepal however will have to deposit a specified amount of money in Nepalese currency in a bank as a counterpart fund of KR after the utilization of the grant. The deposited amount shall be utilized for the purpose of economic and social development, including food production in Nepal, with prior consultation between the two Governments.
Japan, being a close friend and development partner, has been providing Food Aid to Nepal since 1970. In Japan's Fiscal Year 2003, a Grant Assistance of three hundred fifty million yen (350,000,000), equivalent to two hundred twenty-seven million and eight hundred fifty thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.227,850,000) was provided to His Majesty's Government of Nepal to procure rice. A total of 9,700 metric tons of rice procured under Food Aid-2003 has already arrived in Birgunj from Japan, and is now under delivery to the food deficit areas in the hill and mountain regions of Nepal.
On the occasion, HE Mr. HIRAOKA expressed his sincere hope that the continued support of the Government of Japan to His Majesty's Government of Nepal in its development efforts will help in increasing the socio-economic development of Nepal as well as enhancing the well being of the Nepalese people. He further added that the Food Aid signifies the wishes of the Government of Japan and its people to help in the way they can to address the problems and suffering of the people of Nepal. And as such the Government of Japan wishes to see further improvement in the fundamental rights situation in Nepal, including the release of yet detained political leaders.
HE 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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