1. The Government of Japan will hand over four recycled fire engines to the Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters through “The Project for Supply of Fire Engines”, under Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, totaling US$ 80,309 (approximately equivalent to Nu. 36 lakh). Mr. Shuichi Tokuda, Director, Country Assistance Planning Division II, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, will attend the handing over ceremony of the project in Thimphu, on 3rd September, 2011.

2. Under the project, four recycled fire engines have been donated to the Fire Services Division, Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters, by Saitama Prefecture in Japan, in response to a request from Ms. Hitomi Tokuda, Honorary Consul-General of the Kingdom of Bhutan in Tokyo, with the support of the Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy.

3. The Fire Service Division, Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters, has been working to improve the fire fighting services in Bhutan. Due to a strong demand for additional fire engines in 4 Dzongkhags (Paro, Wangdue, Sarpang and Mongar) facing an increase in fire disasters including forest fires, the Government of Japan decided to help transport four recycled fire engines donated by Saitama Prefecture.

4. The Government of Japan hopes that the grant assistance would help strengthen the protection and management of fire disasters in Bhutan as well as contribute to further strengthening of the friendly relationship between Japan and Bhutan.