KABUL (Pajhwok): Japan will fund development projects worth $35 million in Afghanistan this year, the country’s ambassador to Kabul has said.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, Japanese Ambassador Masamoto Kenichi met with Economy Minister Qari Din Mohammad Hanif to discuss strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and expanding humanitarian assistance.
During the meeting, Kenichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continuing humanitarian and development support for Afghanistan.
He said Japan has provided $560 million in humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate.
The ambassador said multiple development projects worth a combined $35 million had been planned for this year.
He added that Japan would also provide $9.3 million for projects aimed at mitigating climate change, constructing check dams, improving water management and addressing Kabul’s shortage of drinking water.
Meanwhile, Hanif described Afghanistan-Japan relations as historic and friendly.
He said combating food insecurity and improving livelihoods through integrated national programmes across various sectors remained among the ministry’s key priorities, with the goal of reducing poverty and unemployment nationwide.
Hanif added that all available resources were being utilized to improve economic conditions and living standards across the country.
He stressed that addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, supporting those affected by recurring droughts and climate change, and tackling the economic and livelihood challenges facing large numbers of returnees required international support, the implementation of urgent programmes and investment in social infrastructure.
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