1. The Government of Japan, under the scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, decided to extend grant assistance totaling US$146,378 (approximately equivalent to Nu. 80 lakh) to Royal Bhutan Police and Chukha Dzongkhag. The recipients of the grants and the description of the projects are as follows:

(i) The Fire Service Division, Royal Bhutan Police
has been working to improve the fire fighting services in Bhutan. In response to their request for additional fire engines in two districts facing an increase in fire disasters, the Government of Japan decided to support provision of two recycled fire engines from Japan, to strengthen the fire fighting services. To this end, the Embassy of Japan has decided to extend grant assistance of US$21,306 for the proposed project.

(ii) Chukha Dzongkhag
In the area, there is a Lower Secondary School established in 1963, in which over 300 students are studying. To meet the pressing demand for the students coming from far-off villages due to poor road access, provisions of hostels is necessary. Under a situation that its Boys’ hostel has been damaged and collapsed, the Government of Japan decided to support Chukha Dzongkhag for construction of three hostels (2 boys’ and 1 girls’) for students in Dungna Lower Secondary School, and will extend grant assistance of US$125,072 for the proposed project.

2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements took place on Friday, 22nd March 2013, at the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, between H.E. Mr. Takeshi Yagi, Ambassador of Japan to Bhutan, and H.E. Mr. Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to Japan.