On March 30, 2021, India & Japan signed 4 Agreements worth ~ 29.30 Million Yen (~ INR 1.93 Crores/~ USD 265,000). Under these agreements, Japan will support Healthcare projects funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme in India.
- The 4 grants are expected to improve the lives of people in the project areas, and further strengthen the friendly relationship and cooperation between Japan and India.
- India is one of the largest recipients of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) besides Bangladesh & Vietnam in Asia.
| Project | Fund |
|---|---|
| Provision of Medical Equipment at Anchal Charitable Trust, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | 7.4 million Yen (~ INR 48.89 Lakhs) |
| Provision of Eye Medical Equipment at Dr.Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh | 6.8 million Yen (~ INR 44.92 Lakhs) |
| Provision of Medical Equipment at Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphans Welfare Society (SHEOWS), Amroha, Uttar Pradesh | 7.95 million Yen (~ INR 52.52 Lakhs) |
| Provision of Eye Medical Equipment at Shija Hospital, Imphal West, Manipur | 7.2 million Yen (~ INR 47.57 Lakhs) |
Signatories
The Agreement was signed between Mr. Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to India & representatives of the respective recipient organizations.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme
- It was introduced in 1989 by the Japanese government to provide financial assistance for development projects (projects designed to meet the basic human needs of people) in around 100 developing countries.
- GGP provides support to small-scale projects implemented by Non-Profit organizations (NGOs, Educational & Medical Institutions) through Japanese diplomatic missions in developing countries.
- For an organization to receive funds under GGP, it should be registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976.
- The maximum amount per project under GGP Scheme is 10 Million Japanese Yen (Loan amount is disbursed in US Dollars).
Japanese ODA:
- Most Japanese ODA are channeled as loans for Infrastructure projects, the loans have long grace periods and low-interest rates.
- Japan’s ODA for India is seen as one of the important tools to strengthen Japan-India relations set forth by ‘Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership’.
Recent Related News:
i.On August 31, 2020 Japan extended an Emergency Support Loan of up to 50 Billion Japanese Yen (Approximately Rs 3, 500 Crore) to support India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
About Japan:
Capital– Tokyo
Currency– Japanese yen
Prime Minister– Yoshihide Suga
