Press Tour on Japan’s Economic Assistance to Tonga - Focusing on the “Values” and “Features” - Featured
In front of The Plaque of the Project for Upgrading of Wharf for Domestic Transport (Project Grant)
20 February, 2019. His Excellency Mr. Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga led a full day Press Tour on Tuesday, 19 February 2019 on Japan’s economic assistance in the Kingdom of Tonga.
The Press Tour, held in collaboration with the JICA-Tonga Office, provided an opportunity to the Tongan journalists to obtain detailed information on the types of Japan’s economic assistance to Tonga, namely the Project Grants, the Non Project Grants and the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project, also the JICA Volunteer Scheme.
Ambassador Ishii emphasized in his remarks the values and features of Japan’s economic assistance built on “Long-lasting, Safe and Technologically Advanced”, “benefitting from a community level to a state level with an effective impact of technical transfer and creating jobs or employment opportunities.”
Japan’s assistance is implemented based upon a country assistance policy through mutual consultations.” Ambassador also acknowledged local media’s participation to deepen their understanding on Japan’s Economic Assistance.
The full day press tour began with a briefing session at the Embassy of Japan before the site visits firstly to the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Terminal, the Non-Project Grant Assistance equipment at the NEMO office at Vaololoa, the GGP Classroom Building for Government Primary School of Veitongo, the JICA Volunteer Scheme with Tonga Meteorological Office at Fua’amotu and concluded with the Wind Power Generation Project, at Niutoua Village.
The local media participants in the Press Tour were; Tonga Broadcasting Commission, Tonga Portal, FM 87.5, FM 88.6, Nuku’alofa Times Online, Kele’a Newspaper, Talaki Newspaper, Taimi ‘o Tonga Newspaper and Kakalu Newspaper.
A dinner reception was hosted by Ambassador Tetsuya Ishii later in the evening at his residence in appreciation of the participation and cooperation from involved journalists, stakeholders and agencies towards the Press Tour.
The guest of honour was Mr. Ringo Fa'oliu, CEO of Ministry of Infrastructure where he acknowledged the achievements of Japan’s Economic Assistance for over 30 years.
