The eighth Annual Bhutan-Japan Consultation held in Thimphu today, decided to review and access projects that are being implemented in Bhutan with Japan’s assistance.
Over the years Japan’s assistance to Bhutan has diversified into many areas, but the main focus continues to be in agriculture and rural development.
Some of the ongoing projects are Grant Aid for underprivileged farmers, rice cultivation machines, Taklai Irrigation System, bridges, among others.
Bhutan and Japan meet annually to review and discuss the ongoing programs in Bhutan. It also provides an opportunity for Bhutan to propose new projects for consideration by the Government of Japan.
Bhutan has also proposed projects for reconstruction of bridges on Wangdue Phodrang-Sarpang Highway, capacity building projects in the gewogs, and for marketing agricultural products.
Meanwhile, Japan’s proposal to introduce a country assistance policy has been welcomed by Bhutan. “This would enhance policy coherence between the two countries,” says a release from the foreign ministry.
It also says instead of proposing projects annually, the two governments are considering a long list of projects spanning over three to five years that would be reviewed and updated during the Annual consultations. “This approach would enable predictability of resources, and also allow greater space for enhancing the feasibility of projects.
