Japanese government has decided to provide 380 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rf. 49 million) as food aid grant to the Maldives. The Exchange of Notes between the Governments of Japan and Maldives was signed on March 19, 2009 at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo foreign ministry has revealed.
Charge’d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan accredited to Maldives Kaoru Shimazaki, signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the government of Japan and Maldives High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Ali Hussain Didi, signed on behalf of the Maldives Government. For the implementation of the Food Aid, a Grant Agreement was also signed between the Government of Maldives and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement was signed on behalf of the Maldives government by Ali Hussain Didi, Maldives High Commissioner and by Chief JICA Representative Dr. Atsushi Kaneko.
Food aid provided under grant aid scheme by the Government of Japan which will be utilized to purchase wheat flour plays a vital role in ensuring food security in the Maldives. Owing to the fact that land suitable for agriculture in the Maldives is less than 10 percent of the total land area all of the country’s staple food, including wheat flour, is imported. For the past 7 years, the wheat flour made available under this grant is approximately 30 percent of the total flour consumed in the Maldives.
The Government of Maldives sells the wheat flour to the general public through an agent, and the proceeds (equivalent to at least two thirds of the value) are utilized for economic and social development projects in the Maldives.
The Government of Japan has been providing food aid to the Maldives annually since 1981. Apart from food aid, the Government of Japan also extends assistance towards socio-economic development of the Maldives, such as construction of Seawall around Male’, Schools in Male’ and other islands as well as rehabilitation of Tsunami affected islands.
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