1. The Government of Japan has handed over the bridge (Loring) to the Royal Government of Bhutan which has been reconstructed under “the Project for Reconstruction of Bridges (Phase III)" totaling 2 billion 496 million Yen (roughly 30 million US dollars) grant assistance. Mr. Tamaki Tsukada, Minister for Economic & Development affairs of the Embassy of Japan attended the handing-over ceremony of the project in Loring on 15 January 2013.

2. The Government of Japan has been supporting Bhutan’s efforts to reconstruct bridges on main roads successively under the Project for Reconstruction of Bridges Phase I (five bridges) and Phase II (three bridges). Under Phase III, six bridges on the National Highway No.5 have been reconstructed, and the last one has now been completed.

3. The Government of Japan hopes that this grant assistance would help secure an efficient and safe road network, and contribute to the balanced infrastructure development in Bhutan, as envisaged in the 10th Five Year Plan, as well as to further strengthening of the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and Bhutan.