The signing ceremony of the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for “the Project for Improvement of Farm Machinery for Hiring Services of Tillage”

The signing ceremony of for the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for Grant Aid (the amount of 250 million Yen), was held on 18th October 2016.

In this ceremony, the E/N was signed between H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to Bhutan, and H.E. Maj. Gen. Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to Japan.

Please refer to the Press Release dated 14th October 2016 for details of this project.

Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu delivered a speech.

Your Excellency Mr. Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to Japan,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. It is my great pleasure and privilege to sign today Exchange of Notes under Japan's Grant Aid for the Project for Improvement of Farm Machinery for Hiring Services of Tillage.
 
2. The historical Symbol of Japanese economic cooperation to Bhutan is Dasho Nishioka, who was dispatched as the first JICA expert in 1964 in agricultural sector.
 
3. The year 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Bhutan. I feel deep emotion to sign the E/N on the project in the agricultural sector, where our bilateral ODA cooperation started.

4. Farm mechanization is an urgent need to address labor shortage in remote areas and to enhance food self-sufficiency in Bhutan. Bhutanese government started hiring service of tillage to provide access to power tillers for as many farmers as possible.
 
5. This time, in response to the request made by H.E. Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan during his visit to Japan in 2014, the Government of Japan has decided to provide 250 million Yen of assistance to supply 353 power tillers, with the purpose to improve access to farm machinery by the farmers.
 
6. As a sincere friend of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and with the understanding of the importance of power tillers in Bhutan, Japan would like to continue to cooperate in this area.
 
7. I strongly hope that Bhutan will make proper and effective use of the grants which come from the people and the Government of Japan and will maintain the provided equipment and facilities in good conditions.
 
8. Finally, let me also express my sincere wish that this grant aid will help reinforce quality of life of the people of Bhutan through agricultural development, and further strengthen the friendship and cooperation, as well as expansion of human exchange, between Japan and Bhutan, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Thank you for your kind attention.