1. The Government of Japan agreed today to extend a grant assistance of 130 million yen (approximately 1.6 million US dollars) to the Royal Government of Bhutan for “the Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers 2010 (KR2-2010)”. The signing of Exchange of Notes to formalize the grant assistance was conducted in Thimphu between H.E. Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bhutan, and H.E. Mr. Karma Tshiteem, Secretary, Gross National Happiness Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan. The signing ceremony was held on the occasion of the first visit of Ambassador Saiki to Bhutan.

2. The Government of Japan hopes that this grant assistance would help towards the development of agriculture in Bhutan, especially rural areas and underprivileged farmers, as well as contribute to further strengthening of the friendly relationship between Japan and Bhutan.