ID :
192346
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 18:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/192346
The shortlink copeid
Japan to resume aid to Myanmar for infrastructure development
TOKYO (Kyodo) - The Japanese government plans to resume official assistance for some infrastructure development projects now that the Myanmar government has lifted a house arrest order for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, government officials said Friday.
The government is now considering 5 billion to 6 billion yen in grants-in-aid for hospital, water system and other infrastructure development programs that would contribute to improving the living environment for poverty areas.
At a meeting with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in Myanmar earlier this week, Japanese Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta offered to provide aid that would directly improve living standards, the officials said.
Japan has frozen Myanmar-bound official development assistance other than humanitarian aid, limiting annual Myanmar-bound ODA to around 3 billion yen over the recent years excluding 2008 and 2009 when humanitarian aid swelled on massive cyclone damage.
After the planned partial resumption of infrastructure-related ODA, the government intends to refrain from resuming low-interest yen loans for large-scale projects in Myanmar as democratization is still seen as insufficient.
It is closely watching the Myanmar situation after the Myanmar government recently issued a new notice of restrictions on Suu Kyi's political activities.
The government is now considering 5 billion to 6 billion yen in grants-in-aid for hospital, water system and other infrastructure development programs that would contribute to improving the living environment for poverty areas.
At a meeting with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in Myanmar earlier this week, Japanese Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta offered to provide aid that would directly improve living standards, the officials said.
Japan has frozen Myanmar-bound official development assistance other than humanitarian aid, limiting annual Myanmar-bound ODA to around 3 billion yen over the recent years excluding 2008 and 2009 when humanitarian aid swelled on massive cyclone damage.
After the planned partial resumption of infrastructure-related ODA, the government intends to refrain from resuming low-interest yen loans for large-scale projects in Myanmar as democratization is still seen as insufficient.
It is closely watching the Myanmar situation after the Myanmar government recently issued a new notice of restrictions on Suu Kyi's political activities.
