Japan keen to extend more help to Tripura, Mizoram

Japan is keen to extend all possible financial and technical help for the development of Tripura and Mizoram, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, bamboo development, agriculture, disaster management and human resource development, Kenji Hiramatsu, Japanese Ambassador to India said on Friday.

The Japanese envoy visited Mizoram and Tripura in the past three days and met the Chief Ministers of the two northeastern states - Zoramthanga and Biplab Kumar Deb - and discussed various developmental issues and possible collaboration.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had earlier given Rs 1,364 crore to Tripura in two phases for the promotion of forest based livelihood of the tribals and other backward people and value addition of non-timber forest produces. The-JICA sponsored projects are now going on.

In 2016, the JICA had extended Rs 4,000 crore soft loan to India to improve two National Highways (NH 54 and NH 51) in Mizoram and Meghalaya.

While talking to the media here on Friday, Hiramatsu said there are huge potentiality in Tripura in the bamboo handicrafts, tourism, bamboo cultivation and their value addition, connectivity and forest management for multi dimensional growth.

He said that both India and Japan in the 2nd meeting of "Japan-India Act East Forum" in October last year in New Delhi had agreed for deeper cooperation in various sectors including building infrastructure in northeastern region, forest management projects of Tripura and Meghalaya.

"Japan can also help in disaster management, collaborative efforts and technical support in diverse areas," the envoy told the media before leaving for Kolkata on Friday evening.

Hiramatsu is the first Japanese Ambassador to India to visit Tripura and Mizoram.

--IANS

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