Japan donates over $27 million for reconstruction effort in East Timor
14 July -- In the largest contribution so far to the rehabilitation of infrastructure in East Timor, Japan today donated more than $27 million to assist the United Nations efforts in the newly independent territory.
Six funding agreements worth $27.5 million were signed between the Government of Japan, the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).The funds will be used to improve water supply systems for the Dili region, rehabilitate a major roadway, revamp irrigation, restore parts of the Dili port and rebuild power stations and distribution networks in the capital and 13 rural areas.
According to UNTAET, the projects will upgrade the distribution of humanitarian supplies, boost economic recovery, increase agricultural productivity and enhance food security.
The signing of the contracts was made possible after a series of survey missions to East Timor by Japanese technical and governmental officials, and a consultative process involving an umbrella group of political parties called the CNRT (National Council of Timorese Resistance), UNTAET, UNDP and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the UN mission said.
In another development, UNTAET has announced the names of 20 applicants from Dili who have been approved for small business grants totalling $307,000, as part of the Small Enterprises Project - a programme from the World Bank-administered Trust Fund for East Timor which is facilitated by the UN mission.
The applicants, half of whom are women, will use the money towards various business ventures including transport companies, carpentry shops, a boutique and a guesthouse. Together, the projects will provide jobs for 250 people.
