JICA to open Makassar office

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A Japanese official disclosed on Thursday that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would soon open a branch office in Makassar. The opening of the new office is expected to intensify the role of JICA in propelling development in the eastern part of Indonesia, said JICA's deputy country director for Indonesia Hanazato Nobuhito.

The agency has directed a significant amount of aid -- in the forms of grants and technical assistance -- to the eastern part of Indonesia, including for the development of villages and education. Building a branch office in Makassar, the biggest city in the eastern part of Indonesia, is seen as important as it will provide a foothold for JICA to operate efficiently and effectively in the eastern part of Indonesia. -- Antara