Japan’s Ambassador in Fiji accredited to Vanuatu, Takuji Hanatani says Vanuatu has been a true friend of Japan over the years, not only due to the donor-recipient relationship, but also more broadly as equal partners in addressing issues of common importa
He made the comment at the recent ceremony of the signing of the Loan Agreement Second Phase for the Port Vila Lapetasi International Multi-purpose Wharf Development at the Office of the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman.
Ambassador Takuji said the project, one of the biggest in the Pacific Island Countries, could not have come at a better time for its formalization, not only because it came on the eve of the 35th anniversary of independence but because it will help accelerate the recovery from Cyclone Pam.
“I am very pleased Japan has been able to contribute to Vanuatu’s development in a very meaningful and concrete way through its support for projects at all levels,” he added.
“Some major projects in the last few years include Sarakata River Hydroelectric Power Project in 2007, Port Vila Main Wharf Project in 2008, Vila Central Hospital Project in 2012, and the Port Vila Lapetasi International Multi-Purpose Wharf Development Project Phase (1) in 2012.”
Emphasizing the importance of the project, he said ports are international gateway for any country.
“Establishing or reinvigorating the port system, with the standards mirrored by this project, is just like opening up the economy to the rest of the world, in a new investor and trade friendly, technologically advanced, and efficient manner that delivers only excellence.”
Construction work on the Port Vila Lapetasi Multipurpose Wharf Development Project is currently starting after the signing Wednesday last week of the Loan Agreement 2 for the project between the Minister of Finance, Willie Jimmy, and a Chief Representative of the JICA Office in Suva, Fiji, Mr. Hiroyuki Sawada. Before that signing, the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, and the Ambassador of Japan in Suva, accredited to Vanuatu, Mr. Takuji Hanatani signed the Exchange of Notes and the Record of Discussion between Vanuatu and Japan on the loan agreement phase 2 for the wharf project.
The signing of the loan agreement 2 allows Japan to provide funding assistance second phase worth 4.6 billion yen or approximately Vt4 million vatu to the Government of Vanuatu for improvement for the Port Vila Lapetasi International Multipurpose Wharf. This amount has brought to Vt10 billion, the total loan amount for the project provided by the Government of Japan.
Groundbreaking for the project occurred with a full day program of celebration last Tuesday at the Star Wharf, the location of the new project.