Japan extends grant to RI

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