The Japanese government will make a total of 1.5 million dollars (94.8 million meticals) available for the training of Mozambican civil servants in the areas of administration, economic policy, finance, industry and investment promotion, with the possibility of them acquiring a master’s degree at Japanese universities.
The guarantee was given on Wednesday (26) in Maputo, after the signing of the “Human Resources Development Project Donation Agreement” implemented by the governments of Mozambique and Japan.
On the occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Verónica Macamo, praised Japan’s continued support for the government’s efforts for the country’s economic and social development, and said she was convinced that the partnership between the two nations “will remain strong and based on friendship, solidarity and mutual respect”.
She recalled that the Asian country has given a great deal of support to Mozambique, particularly in the education and human development sector, with scholarship programmes for young people at master’s and doctoral levels.
“Within the scope of the Government’s Five Year Plan (PQG), we can count on Japan’s participation in key sectors in the country, such as agriculture and food security, increasing energy generation and distribution capacity, infrastructure, transport and communications,” he stressed.
For his part, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to Mozambique, Hamada Keiji, said that as well as strengthening bilateral relations between the two peoples, the initiative will help resolve the development challenges the country is facing.
“The project is a response to the appeal made during the visit by the Mozambican government to that country last year, with a view to improving and strengthening cooperation relations,” he explained.
In March, Japan announced a sum of 55.1 million dollars to finance the implementation of projects in the country, as part of the new international cooperation model defined by the Japanese government. At the time, Verónica Macamo and Hamada Keiji signed three donation agreements in the form of an “exchange of notes”.
“The agreements establish the supply of vehicles to the Mozambican police forces to improve the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, and will boost the development of the Nacala Power Station,” said the Japanese diplomat.
