On July 24, Mr. Takashi Okimoto, the Head of Cultural Department of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, started a business trip to Sughd province with a purpose of conducting handover ceremonies of two projects supported under the framework of Japan’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, according to Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe.

The first handover ceremony for “The Project for Provision of Equipment to Women Resource Center in Vorukh Jamoat of Isfara District” reportedly took place on July 26 in Vorukh jamoat.  The local public organization “Support Center of Vorukh Jamoat” has received a US$13,240 grant for obtaining equipment.  Utilizing the equipment, the organization will be able to provide vocational trainings to local women and equip them with professional skills.

The next day, Mr. Okimoto together with Mr. Shavkat Solihion, deputy chairperson of Mastchoh district, joined the handover ceremony for “The Project for Provision of Excavator for Maintenance of Irrigation Canal in Mastchoh District.”  The Local Government of Mastchoh district has received US$89,900 to acquire an excavator for cleansing the irrigation canals and drainage system of the district.

During the ceremonies, Mr. Okimoto marked Japan’s GGP projects’ role in making positive impacts for the people of Tajikistan on the grassroots level and recognized importance of further expansion of the bilateral relationship between Tajikistan and Japan.  The local authorities and residents of the districts expressed their sincere gratitude for the continuous assistance of the Japanese Government in improving the conditions of social areas through projects taking place in all districts of the country.

“Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project” (GGP) is a scheme within Japan’s Official Development Assistance. GGP in particular implements grassroots-level projects in various sectors throughout Tajikistan.  Recipients of GGP grants include local governments, educational and medical institutions, and NGOs.  As of today, GGP has supported 389 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan, for which US$ $31.5 million has been allocated since