30 Mar 2023 12:45

Japanese govt approves 2 gratis assistance packages to help Ukraine's recovery

MOSCOW. March 30 (Interfax) - The Japanese government has approved two gratis assistance packages for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction totaling $470 million, the Ukrainian media said with the reference to the Japanese Foreign Ministry's press service.

The media said that Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Reconstruction Minister Alexander Kubrakov signed and exchanged notes on the Program for Emergency Recovery Phase 2 ($400 million) on March 29.

The program will provide the Ukrainian government with "equipment necessary for mine action and debris clearance, which are prerequisites for recovery and reconstruction, livelihood reconstruction including the provision of basic infrastructure, recovery of agriculture as a key industry and strengthening democracy and governance," the statement said.

"This will thereby contribute to the rapid recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the Japanese government decided on Tuesday to allot a $70-million grant for supporting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction via the United Nations Development Program.

This project will support restoration of energy infrastructures and "thereby will contribute to recovering and enhancing power supply to Combined Heat and Power Plants (CHPs) which provide Ukrainian people with electricity, heat and water," it said.

The ministry noted that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the new additional grant aid of $470 million during his visit to Ukraine on March 21.