Japan extends grant to RI

JAKARTA: The Japanese government has donated 1,856 billion Yen (US$14.29 million) to help Indonesia develop its information systems and improve public welfare.

Hideaki Domichi, on behalf of the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, signed the grant agreement with the foreign ministry's Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa Makarim Wibisono here on Thursday.

Makarim said a total of $4.15 million of the grant was being allotted to the state broadcaster TVRI to help modernize its equipment.

He stressed that TVRI was chosen because its broadcasts reached around 80 percent of the country's population.

A research project on regional autonomy in 10 provinces would cost 117 million Yen (US$9,000) and was being organized in response to soaring separatist sentiment across Indonesia.

The Japanese government previously helped Indonesia raise its food production following the economic downturn in 1997 with 1.2 billion Yen (US$ 9.24 million) in assistance. -- Antara