Signing Ceremony of the Exchange of Notes for Grant Aid for “Economic and Social Development Programme”

　

On October 26^th, 2016, Mr. Shuichi Sakakibara,Chargé d’affaires ad Interim of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, and Hon. Mr. Felix Mutati, Minister of Finance, signed an Exchange of Notes for Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Programme in the conference room of the Ministry of Finance in Lusaka.
 
This grant aid, amounting to 200 million Japanese Yen (approximately 2 million US dollars), will involve the procurement of medical equipment such as X-ray machines. The specific contents of this project are however yet to be decided.
 
Because the machineries in Zambia are outdated, medical personnel are forced to diagnose only a limited number of patients per day, hindering efficiency of medical services. Through this grant aid, it is expected that nearly 30 X-ray machines will be provided to health facilities nationwide. Therefore, this grant aid will contribute to the establishment of Universal Health Coverage, which means the provision of basic health services to every individual at an affordable cost, in Zambia.
 
Economic and Social Development Programme is a type of grant assistance which is intended to support developing countries that aim to promote socio-economic development such as poverty reduction.
 
　　To read the speech by Mr. Shuichi SAKAKIBARA at this ceremony, please click here.