Japan preparing second phase of Asia assistance plan<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (Reuters): Japan is preparing a second phase of its
\nAsian assistance plan that would offer technical and
\ndevelopmental aid, a senior trade ministry official said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Hisamitsu Arai, Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) vice
\nminister for international affairs, told Reuters the time was
\nripe for a "second stage" of the $30 billion Miyazawa plan.<\/p>\n
"During the first year, the very important measure was to
\nprovide financing," he said.<\/p>\n
"To have a stable economic recovery (in Asia), it is necessary
\nfor Japan to provide technical assistance or human resources
\ndevelopment assistance or...in market restructuring."<\/p>\n
He declined to say when the new phase would be announced or
\nwhether its need would be precluded by Asian economic recovery,
\nbut said Japan could do more.<\/p>\n
"It's time for Japan to provide (for) those areas more than
\nbefore."<\/p>\n
Arai was visiting Singapore to meet Association of South East
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) economic officials.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Japan said it was essential new ASEAN member nations
\n- Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar - be supported in their
\ntransition to market economies and Arai said Japan was committed
\nto regional training and promotional programs.<\/p>\n
"If they (new members) have good economic stability, that will
\ncontribute to political stability in this region," he said.<\/p>\n
In a separate press briefing, Arai sidestepped the question of
\nfinancial support, saying it must be coordinated with
\norganizations such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.<\/p>\n
Under its Miyazawa plan, Japan had disbursed about $4 billion
\nto Asian nations as of early August.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-preparing-second-phase-of-asia-assistance-plan-1447893297",
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